2017 New York Jets Coverage Stats: Week 2

Yesterday I began my series chronicling the Jets’ coverage performance in 2017, charting the individual numbers against the pass for each Jet, in addition to newcomers Trumaine Johnson and Avery Williamson. Let’s move on into Week 2!

Previous editions: Week 1

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 had their worst defensive outing of the year in Oakland, allowing 45 points through three rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns. Derek Carr amassed 230 yards and 3 touchdowns with zero interceptions, while completing 23 of 28 passes for a career high 82% completion rate. That all came together for a 136.6 rating; the third best of Carr’s career.

Trumaine Johnson spent much of Week 2 battling new Jets receiver Terrelle Pryor. Johnson was very successful, but the Redskins came out on top 27-20 in southern California.

Williamson’s Titans beat the Jaguars 37-16 in Jacksonville for their first win.

COVERAGE NUMBERS

Overall coverage yield: The first chart shows the total Week 2 coverage numbers allowed by each Jet. It was a really rough outing for the Jets defense, in particular the corners, who as a group yielded 8 first downs and 3 touchdowns while forcing only 3 incompletions. Trumaine Johnson had another strong game over in L.A., though.

Coverage by matchup and field side: The chart below shows the Week 2 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!

In Week 1, Bills receivers only caught 4 passes as Buffalo focused their offense around the backs and tight ends. Oakland was an entirely different story. The Raiders receivers feasted on the Jets cornerbacks, clearly displayed below:

Also point your attention at the field side column. Carr was 15 for 15 targeting routes that originated on his right (the Jets’ left), amassing 122 yards and 2 touchdowns for a 140.1 rating. This is a stark contrast to Week 1, when Tyrod Taylor went just 5 for 8 for 49 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception on throws to routes originating on that side, equating to a 79.7 rating.

FILM

Like the Jets did with Demario Davis, the Titans tried to minimize coverage situations thrown at Williamson; only they did it by sitting him in many passing situations. It’s worked to this point, as Williamson has only allowed two catches through two games.

Here is a big impact play in pass defense that won’t show up in my coverage tallies. The blitzing Williamson gets his hand on a Bortles pass and creates an interception.

Johnson had his second straight strong outing to start the year, giving up only 16 yards, all coming on one catch to Jordan Reed. I counted Johnson as matching up against Terrelle Pryor for 11 passing snaps. Pryor accumulated no catches on those snaps, taking just one target that was broken up by Johnson (seen below, matched up at bottom of screen).

Marcus Maye was probably the brightest spot for the Jets in their nightmare trip to the Bay. Maye made a pair of rangy stops short of the sticks in the passing game, including this one below. Look at the ground he covers to stop Crabtree for just 4 yards on this pick play!

Here is Maye’s other play in coverage, very nearly a carbon copy of the one above with the only difference being that Jared Cook and Michael Crabtree switch places. It’s really cool to see Maye make this play twice in one game; especially in a game in which the rest of the Jets defense was obliterated.

All of the Jets cornerbacks struggled this week, but Juston Burris was the main culprit. Burris gave up 4 receptions for 45 yards, including two touchdowns to Michael Crabtree. Here is the longest of his receptions allowed on the day (top of screen).

SEASON TOTALS

Here is how the Jets are stacking up after two weeks of work in 2017.

What are your thoughts on Week 2 and the first two weeks of the report overall?