Demolishes Raiders
“One thing that [defensive coordinator] Gregg [Williams] is good at is giving us the knowledge to get in front of a play, instead of being behind on a play.” Basham said. “He gives us the information we need to expect what runs out of different personnel, different formations, different motions and shifts. Stuff like that allows us to see the plays before they happen. We play attack, not react.”
Basham was asked if the defense as a whole was comfortable with calling out plays before they happen by the time they get to Sunday’s game and he gave an enthusiastic answer. “Truly! For sure, we definitely do. We’re definitely able to call some things out before they come. We see it, we alert the other guys, and then we just play for it. Whether we’re right or whether we’re wrong, our speed and ability to get to the football will make up for our mistakes.”
The players seem to have really bought into Gregg Williams’ aggressive, attacking style of defense. Outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins stressed that this is a physical defense and it’s “amazing” to play with a tough group of players. For the season, the Jets are only giving up 2.99 yards per carry, which is easily the best mark in the league.
Rookie defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said the execution is what’s lead to them having the best run defense in the league. “I think it’s just executing, man.” Williams said. “Whatever Gregg calls, we execute it to the best of our ability and that just comes with it.”
Before Carr was pulled, he was averaging just 4.7 yards per pass attempt and threw an errant pass that was deflected by Neville Hewitt and intercepted for a touchdown by Brian Poole. That play was Poole’s first interception of the season and the first picksix of his career.
“Ah man!” Poole said with a smile when asked about his interception. “I was pretty excited to see it. I was definitely excited to see it in the air.” Poole then joked that he was going to have to take Hewitt to dinner at some point for giving him the layup for his first career defensive touchdown.
“We just gotta approach next week the same way.” Poole said. “Take it one game at a time and not get too far ahead of ourselves and have the same approach next week.”
Safety Jamal Adams said that the Jets’ ability to play complementary football in all three phases of the game led to their victory.
“Any time you have an offense that’s rolling, it just gives us more juice to go back out there. When we get turnovers, when we score, get in the end zone, get the ball back, whatever it is, we’re just feeding off one another.” Adams said.
“That’s what it was and that’s what we’ve been doing.”