Gang Green’s secondary has been up in opposition to among the most gifted receivers within the NFL this 12 months.
But Sunday could possibly be the largest check for Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and D.J. Reed.
Justin Jefferson has arguably been one of the best receiver in soccer this season. In 11 video games, Jefferson has caught 81 receptions for 1,232 yards and 5 touchdowns.
“I think any player relishes playing against the best,” Jets coach Robert Saleh stated about going through Jefferson and the Vikings. “I do know, simply talking only for us, we’ve had some nice challenges all 12 months.
“You have Miami’s group, Buffalo’s group, there have been some really good receivers that we’ve gone up against. It’s another challenge for us and knowing our secondary, they’re ready to take that challenge on.”
The Jets protection — with Gardner and Reed — have been as much as the problem of slowing down top-flight receivers all year long. Against the Bengals in Week 3, Gang Green’s secondary restricted huge receiver Ja’Marr Chase to 6 catches for 29 yards and a landing.
Two weeks after that, the Jets held Tyreek Hill, who leads the league in receptions [87] and receiving yards [1,233], to seven catches for 47 yards. They additionally stored Bills receiver Stefon Diggs out of the top zone regardless of him registering 5 catches for 93 yards.
The Jets will seemingly have each Gardner and Reed overlaying Jefferson all through the sport. Both gamers are acting at a Pro Bowl degree.
Gardner has 48 tackles, two interceptions and 14 cross deflections. He is at present the highest-rated rookie participant [86.7] this season and the second-highest-rated defensive again within the NFL, in keeping with Pro Football Focus.
Gardner has been taking part in so effectively that he at present leads all AFC cornerbacks in balloting for the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.
“It feels real good,” Gardner stated in regards to the honor. “I’m a pure humble man, however that was one of many issues I used to be saying earlier than the season began about my particular person objectives.
“It’s not too typically that rookies make the Pro Bowl. But on the similar time, I do know the job shouldn’t be completed but.
“So I’m going to keep my head down and keep going.”
According to PFF, Reed has a 76.4 grade as he has recorded 54 tackles, one interception and 7 cross deflections.
The Jets protection can even be going through Kirk Cousins, who’s having one other stable season for the Vikings. In 11 video games, Cousins has thrown for two,760 yards, 17 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
Minnesota is ranked seventh in passing offense [340.3]. They even have working again Dalvin Cook, who the Jets protection must be involved about as he has rushed for 841 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Jets protection has stepped as much as the problem of going through any offense this season. They’re fifth within the league in whole protection [308.8] and fourth in factors allowed per recreation [17.8].
“They have a very good running back [Cook], very good offense, offensive line, quarterback, two good receivers, things like that,” Jets defensive deal with Quinnen Williams stated.
“They’re 9-2 for a reason. Good defense, offensive scheme, so it’s a big challenge. It’s a great opportunity for us to show the world in what we believe is a good defense against a good offense that we are going against.”
RANKINS BACK PRACTICING
After struggling an elbow harm through the win in opposition to the Bills on Nov. 6, defensive deal with Sheldon Rankins returned to observe for the primary time in three weeks.
Rankins was a restricted participant Wednesday and relying on how the week goes, he may play in opposition to the Vikings. Tight finish Kenny Yeboah was additionally restricted as he has been recovering from a calf harm he suffered throughout observe earlier than the sport in opposition to the Patriots.
Running again Michael Carter (ankle), deal with Cedric Obuehi (groin) and security Ashtyn Davis (hamstring) didn’t observe. All three gamers suffered accidents within the win in opposition to the Bears final Sunday.
Carter’s harm is essentially the most important of the three, as he has been the Jets beginning working again since Breece Hall was misplaced for the season resulting from an ACL harm within the win in opposition to the Broncos on Oct. 23.
If Carter can’t play in opposition to Minnesota, Zonovan “Bam” Knight may obtain extra taking part in time, very similar to he did in opposition to the Bears. In that recreation, Knight led the Jets in speeding with 69 yards on 14 carries.
Knight and Ty Johnson helped the Jets mix for 158 yards and a landing.
“Ty has been doing a great job with special teams,” Saleh stated. “He’s a four-quarter man, however he has additionally been an enormous presence on third down for us.
“When MC [Carter] went down last week, he had an opportunity to step in and get some carries. He’s a big back, he can hit the hole vertically and pretty fast. Really pumped that he got the opportunity to showcase who he really is and we will see how this week goes.”
Reed didn’t observe as he handled a private matter. But Saleh was assured Reed would return to observe on Thursday.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com