REAL McCOY
Bills’ running back puts hurting on Jets
ORCHARD PARK — How bad could the Jets’ season get? Even their safety net has a hole in it.
Despite a slew of predictions that the Jets could finish the season without a win, an unthinkable worst-case scenario was revealed in Sunday’s 21-12 loss to the Bills, in which the Jets’ defensive front became one of its biggest issues, allowing 190 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
In their first outing since defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was traded, the supposedly stout front was gashed by LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 110 yards on 22 carries.
Last year, the Jets’ run defense ranked fourth in the NFL, allowing 3.7 yards per carry. Two seasons ago, it ranked third, allowing 3.6 yards per attempt.
“They ran exactly what they thought they would,” defensive end Leonard Williams said. “We weren’t doing our job by containing them when we needed to and staying in our gaps.”
The Jets needed to stop one player, and that player evaded tackles with ease.
McCoy was marvelous, consistently creating openings that didn’t exist, and repeatedly running laterally until breaking up the field for massive gains.
Facing an offense with an inconsistent quarterback and no intimidating threats at wide receiver, the Jets allowed the five-time Pro Bowler — who added a team-high five receptions for 49 yards — to set the tone for an offense with few appealing alternatives.
“We talked about it all week about set- ting the edge, and Shady [McCoy] cutting back, and pretty much we hurt ourselves,” defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said. “When he hits you with those one or two plays, and you know what’s coming and it happens, you get mad, but you’ve got to play the next down and make sure it doesn’t happen again. … We just didn’t make enough plays.”
The players agreed with coach Todd Bowles’ assessment that the run defense’s struggles was a result of missed assignments, while defensive tackle Steve McLendon added the Jets — who finished in last place a season ago — may have been too hyped for the season opener.
“We’re trying to get that bad taste out of our mouth from last year, but we have to stay calm,” McLendon said. “We have to continue to play fast … but we can’t lose our poise. … All we have to do is stay calm, stay focused and stay driven and understand that this is a long season.”
Perhaps even longer than we thought.