Jets vs. Packers: How Fast Can You Go?

Earlier today we discussed one way the Packers might look to combat their disadvantage up front on offense, throwing quick passes. Another way they might go is to try and dictate tempo by going no huddle and snapping the ball quickly. The announcers in their opener at Seattle said Green Bay hoped to do that. They weren't necessarily successful, but the Packers do have an up tempo offense. Football Outsiders said they were the 7th quickest team to snap the ball last season when the score was within a touchdown.

What are the advantages of an approach to this? For starters, the defense cannot substitute if the offense goes no huddle. Without the ability to put a diverse set of personnel on the field, it limits the defense's playbook.

The defensive playbook is limited in another way. The Jets run a varied defensive scheme. They like to run a lot of different looks both in the front and the back of a defense. Implementing such a diverse system requires top flight communication. It takes time to make sure everybody knows where to be on a given play since roles can vary wildly from snap to snap. Not having a huddle makes that a lot tougher. So does the possibility the offense can snap it quickly before everybody knows where to be. It forces a more basic set of plays.

This kind of approach can backfire, though. If the offense uses tempo and goes three and out, it means the defense barely gets any rest. That can take a toll on the next drive and in the rest of the game.

The Jets also might be better equipped than a lot of teams to deal with this kind of set. While up tempo offenses can wear down big guys up front, Muhammad Wilkerson seldom takes a play off. He is something of an iron man up front. Sheldon Richardson also plays a big percentage of snaps. These guys might not be susceptible to wearing down the way a typical lineman might.

If Green Bay takes this approach, it might pay dividends. It also might play into New York's hands depending on how things go.