NY Jets: The Worst Pass Rush Money Can Buy

The Indianapolis Colts came into last night's game with major problems protecting the quarterback.  The Colts had given up multiple sacks in every game this season, and ranked second worst team in the NFL with 38 sacks allowed before last night. No matter, the Jets cured what ailed the Colts.  The Jets became the first team all season not to sack Andrew Luck multiple times in a game.  The Jets had one lonely sack, shared by Leonard Williams and Deon Simon, and after a little pressure early in the game the Jets failed to even hurry the Colts quarterback as the game wore on.

The New York Jets have a much praised defensive line, with three first round draft picks, all purported to be Pro Bowl talents. With the exception of Leonard Williams they have played like scrubs.

The Jets rank 31st in the NFL with 20 sacks on the year. They rank dead last in sacks since the big seven sack opening day performance.  Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson have combined for two sacks in the last nine games and haven't had a single sack between them since October.  The pass rush has been simply embarrassing.

Perhaps there are extenuating circumstances?  Maybe the Jets have had the misfortune of facing teams that allow very few sacks?  Well .... no.  Not even close.  In fact the Jets in 2016 have faced the teams ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th in  most sacks allowed this season, with the 5th ranked team, the San Francisco 49ers, next on the schedule. This is astonishing.  A schedule that is almost impossibly friendly towards opposing pass rushers has somehow produced the most anemic pass rush in the NFL since opening day.

The Jets players and coaches have much to answer for this season, but there may be no more egregious example of players underperforming their talent in the entire NFL than the Jets toothless pass rush.  The worst pass rush money can buy.