2017 New York Jets Coverage Stats: Week 1

Recently, I concluded my series going back and figuring out who was responsible for each sack allowed by the Jets in 2017, deducing the cleanest and most guilty Jets in sack prevention.

Today I kick off yet another 2017 film review series, as I’ll go back and look at every catch allowed by the Jets (and their defensive newcomers) and do my best to assign individual coverage numbers across the board. Strap in!

In addition to reviewing the Jets’ coverage numbers from each week, I will look into the two primary free agent additions made on the defensive side; cornerback Trumaine Johnson and linebacker Avery Williamson.

RULES

• The coverage numbers include only legitimate targets into the general area of a receiver. Throwaways and deflections at the line are excluded.
• The stats for each individual are that of the quarterback’s passing numbers when targeting the individual’s matchup. A player could have an interception to his coverage credit even if the interception itself was made by a teammate. For example, when Tyrod Taylor threw an interception targeting Darron Lee’s matchup, Juston Burris ended up with the interception, but I would add that incompletion and interception to Lee’s resume.
• I did not apply the same rule to fumbles; I will only count those if forced by the covering defender.
• Penalties counted are only those accumulated in coverage.
• Remember that these numbers reflect raw production only, and not always are indicative of true performance level! It’s plausible that a defender can get completely smoked and end up being credited with an interception, or vice versa, bringing very tough coverage but allowing big yardage due to an incredible catch.

WEEK 1 SYNOPSIS

The Jets lost to the Bills in Buffalo, 21-12. The Bills, led by Tyrod Taylor, passed for 224 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception on 16 for 28 passing, a 92.0 rating. Taylor was sacked twice.

Johnson’s Rams laid a 46-9 beatdown on the Colts in Los Angeles.

Williamson’s Titans took a 26-16 home loss to the Raiders.

COVERAGE NUMBERS

Overall coverage yield: The first chart shows the total Week 1 coverage numbers allowed by each Jet.

Coverage by matchup and field side: The chart below shows the Week 1 coverage yield for each Jet broken down by opponent matchup and the side of the field they lined up on. Check out my glossary at the bottom of the image!

FILM

Let’s check out some of the best and worst of the Jets in coverage in Week 1.

Trumaine Johnson had a hell of a game covering T.Y. Hilton. Yes, the Colts were quarterbacked by Scott Tolzien and Jacoby Brissett, but the body of work for Johnson was strong against the Colts’ premiere wideout. Hilton gained more yards on his one catch against a defender other than Johnson than he did against Johnson for the whole game. Below, some really sticky coverage from Trumaine leading to a breeze of a pick six.

95th percentile arm length is a weapon in press coverage, but it also can be useful for mitigating mistakes, or even flipping them into a positive. Johnson gets beat inside by Hilton, but recovers to punch the ball out and recover the fumble. A nice hustle play and a display of his best physical tool being put to use.

Jamal Adams’ coverage against tight ends was maligned at times this year, and I am sure that will show up at some point in my review. However, he looked really solid in coverage in his small sample size against the Bills. Charles Clay only mustered 4 yards against him on two targets. Here is a picture perfect read and tackle on 3rd & 9. (Top of screen)

The Jets were abused by the Buffalo backs and tight ends. Bills wide receivers only caught 4 passes in this game for 82 yards. 4 catches to wide receivers! Antonio Brown alone averaged over 7 catches a game this season! LeSean McCoy and Charles Clay in particular were doing great damage, specifically against linebackers Darron Lee and Demario Davis. This play below, in which Lee is victimized by McCoy on the screen, is just one of many plays just like it in this game. Nothing too crazy or down the field. Just missed tackles and poor coverage underneath, and lots of it.

So, after one week of work, here is how the Jets are holding up in coverage. Right now this chart looks extremely similar to the one above, but I will update this section with each report to reflect every player’s season totals.

Let it be heard what you thought of the Jets’ coverage performance in Week 1, as well as any thoughts or suggestions you have on the series going forward!