Jets Fourth Best at Forcing Three and Outs

The most important thing for a defense is not surrendering points, but forcing the offense off the field quickly also has significance. A three and out prevents the other team from flipping field position, which can be meaningful even if a drive ends in no points. Quick series also prevent the defense from tiring. We frequently talk about whether an offense can give a defense rest by sustaining long drives. The defense also has a responsibility to get itself off the field as quickly as possible to avoid fatigue later in the game.

Through some research with assistance from Pro Football Reference's Play Index and calculations by hand, I compiled the percentages with which teams force three and outs (including turnovers forced on the first three plays of a series). The Jets rate well. They are fourth best in the league by the calculations I did, forcing the other team three and out over one-third of the time.

This is likely one of the major reasons the Jets start an average offensive series on their own 32, best in the league despite not having top notch returners on special teams.