Jets facing top-ranked Colts defense

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts used the offseason to beef up their defense.

They traded for Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. They moved defensive tackle Denico Autry to defensive end. They signed Pro Bowl cornerback Xavier Rhodes.

After two games, a franchise known for winning shootouts suddenly has the league’s top-ranked defense. Hey, it’s a promising start.

“Nobody cares if you’re the top defense Week 1, Week 2, Week 3. Nobody gives a care,” Pro Bowl linebacker Darius Leonard said. “But when you get to Week 15, Week 16, that’s when everybody’s talking about who has the No. 1 defense. So we’ve got to go out and maintain that (ranking).”

Facing the league’s lowest-ranked offense Sunday could help Indy (1-1) stay on top a little longer.

Coming off a game in which the Colts picked off three passes, recorded three sacks and held Minnesota to 175 total yards, the fewest in six years, they will try to build momentum against the New York Jets (0-2) with up to 7,500 fans in attendance.

What’s gone wrong for the Jets?

They have the fewest yards per game (265.5) in suited up for the Colts. The others are offensive lineman Josh Andrews, defensive end Henry Anderson, linebacker Tarell Basham, safety Matthias Farley and cornerbacks Quincy Wilson, Nate Hairston and Pierre Desir.

Cornerback Arthur Maulet and long snapper Thomas Hennessy also spent time with Indy, and Jets assistant general manager Rex Hogan was the Colts’ vice president of player personnel in 2017-18.

Colts coach Frank Reich said he’ll make some minor adjustments.

Just don’t expect to hear much about grudges.

“For me, it’s about going and trying to get on track,” Desir said. “I want to do everything I can to help the team. We’re working every day and as a defense, fixing the things that need to be fixed.”

THE TRADE

The pre-draft deal between Indianapolis and the Jets in 2018 had a major impact on both teams.

New York used the No. 3 overall selection on quarterback Sam Darnold.

By sliding back three spots and acquiring two extra second-round picks from the Jets in 2018 and another in 2019, general manager Chris Ballard found some key cogs.

Indy used the Jets’ picks on two-time All-Pro guard

Quenton Nelson and right tackle Braden Smith in 2018, then selected starting cornerback Rock Ya-Sin in 2019. They dealt the Jets’ other second-rounder in 2018 to Philadelphia, swapping spots while acquiring an extra fifth-rounder. Ballard used those picks on defensive end Kemoko Turay and running back Jordan Wilkins.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Jets coach Adam Gase is already facing outside criticism for the team’s lackluster game-day performances and now some defensive players are concerned about practices, too.

After last week’s loss, safety Bradley McDougald said players — particularly the defense — need to show more intensity in practice, an assertion supported by linebacker Avery Williamson. McDougald reiterated his point this week, but clarified that he wasn’t criticizing the coaches. Instead, he wants teammates to improve their focus.

“I think if we go down the line and ask that question to anybody on this team, I think everybody would agree,” McDougald said. “We’ve had slow practices, we’ve had down practices, and that is players moving slow, or players not making the plays that we’re expected to be able to make.”