‘Brand That We Play With’
Beginning with the Falcons, Breece Hall and the Jets have six games left. While the Atlanta defense ranks No. 3 in sacks with 39, teams have had success moving the ball on the ground against a unit that has the league’s 26th-ranked rush defensive (133.1 yds/g). Colts RB Jonathan Taylor gashed the Falcons to a tune of 244 yards on 32 carries (7.6 per) in Indy’s 31-25 OT win on Nov. 8.
The Jets’ improved rush defense will contend with Bijan Robinson, whose 126.9 scrimmage yards per game rank third in the league. With Atlanta breaking out of a five-game funk last Sunday in New Orleans, Robinson again led the way with 70 rush yards on 14 carries (5 per) and 37 yards on 2 receptions.
Over the last two games, the Jets held the Patriots to 65 yards on 27 carries (2.4 per) and then the Ravens to 98 yards on 34 attempts (2.9 per). Instead of falling off after trading one of the game’s best run stuffers in Quinnen Williams, the defense has found its footing.
“There is a brand that we play with,” said HC Aaron Glenn. “And I’ve said this before, but when you create a brand, it really doesn’t matter who’s in, who’s out, because everybody understands exactly how we want to play. So that play style, in general, it really takes over, and our guys are really doing a good job of that.”
Veteran DT Harrison Phillips, who leads all interior defensive linemen with 33 run stops, said the unit has been intentional in its approach.
“I think that we’ve really overemphasized from our coaching staff the importance of gap integrity and the importance of violence,” he said. “And I think that those are two things that we’ve tried to take a step in the right direction towards.”
There are a lot of similarities between the Jets and the Falcons treks entering Week 13. While Garrett Wilson (knee) remains on injured reserve, Atlanta’s top target — Drake London — is doubtful and likely will miss his second consecutive game. Tyrod Taylor, 36, will start his second consecutive game for the Green & White while Kirk Cousins, 37, has taken over the offensive controls in the ATL with Michael Pennix Jr. (ACL) out for the remainder of the season.