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Recent Decline of Run Defense is Alarming for New York Jets

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By @GregSulik

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Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets finished 3rd in the NFL in total run defense and first in yards per carry last season, and they started off this season in similar fashion. In their first four games, the Jets allowed 25, 80, 60, and 88 yards rushing. However, the last two weeks have seen the Jets’ run defense take a precipitous decline, giving up 162 and 138 yards on the ground.

Brandon Oliver and Ronnie Hillman are solid backs, but if the Jets can shut down Matt Forte and Eddie Lacy then there is no excuse for allowing each of those players to break 100 yards. The Jets don’t have any significant health issues in their front seven, they simply haven’t been playing up to the level they are capable of.

Damon Harrison has to be better at controlling the point of attack, as he was cleared out on several occasions in the loss to the Denver Broncos that allowed Hillman to find running room. Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson have both been solid, but Richardson hasn’t been able to get the quick penetration that makes him so effective the last two weeks. Wilkerson has been more effective against the pass than the run this year, though he has done well to control his side in the ground game.

Behind the front three, David Harris and Demario Davis need to do a better job of filling gaps and shutting down runs before they reach the second level. Hillman was able to find quite a bit of space on simple one cut runs and burst into the secondary before the linebackers made a play. Harris’ presence as a run stopper is vital to the Jets’ defense, while Davis’ speed should make him more impactful than he’s been over the last two weeks.

Two bad games certainly aren’t anything to incite a panic, but the Jets should definitely be concerned about the performance drop off of their run defense. On Thursday they face a New England Patriots ground attack that ranks 18th in the NFL in rush yards per game, a good opportunity to get the rush defense back on track.

The Jets have so many problems in the secondary that it is vital they take away the run so they can focus the play calling on pass defense. That hasn’t happened the last two weeks, and it has made the Jets’ defensive job that much more difficult. The run defense must get things fixed this week, or the Jets will be in for another rough defensive performance.

Greg Sulik is a New York Jets writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @GregSulik or add him to your network on Google

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