Jets defense showed they can be ‘historic’ with upset victory against Eagles – Hartford Courant

Before the start of the 2023 season, cornerback D.J. Reed turned quite a few heads when he told reporters that the Jets could have a ‘historic’ defense in the same vein as the 1985 Bears or the 2013 Seahawks.

“I think we have the potential to be the best defense in the NFL,” Reed said in September. “Honestly, I think we can be historical. Not just the best defense in the league, but we can have a historical defense like the 85-86 Bears, like the LOB [Seahawks’ Legion of Boom] in 2013.

“I think we can be that dominant if we put all the things together, if we focus on the now and be deliberate and everyone plays up to their potential. I think the sky’s the limit for us.”

After some ups and downs through the first five games of the year, the Jets proved they have the potential to be the best defense in the NFL with their monumental 20-14 statement upset victory against the Eagles.

The only dressed four cornerbacks in the win as Sauce Gardner (concussion) and Reed (concussion) were ruled out. Also, Justin Hardee (hamstring) and Brandin Echols (hamstring) were also injured.

Because of that, the Jets elevated Tae Hayes and Craig James from the practice squad to play alongside Michael Carter II and Bryce Hall, who got his second consecutive start in place of Reed. The results were more than anyone could have bargained for being that injuries in the secondary hammered the Jets.

The Jets held the previously undefeated Eagles to 14 points and pitched a shutout in the second half after they were down 14-9 at halftime. They also had the best-rushing offense statistically to 80 yards.

Hall also made a key play as he intercepted Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts at the Jets’ 33 as he helped keep Philadelphia out of the end zone during the third quarter. They also caused three Hurts interceptions and four turnovers for the entire game.

Hall’s play against the Broncos in Week 5 also gave them a 31-21 victory. Linebacker Quincy Williams stripped Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson in Denver territory as Hall scooped the ball up and ran it 39 yards for a touchdown.

“It’s a special unit,” Hall said about the Jets defense. “I was telling MC and some of those other guys it is going to be a special, special story when it’s all said and done. Just so excited to be able to do that and I’m just grateful to God for these opportunities that he gives me.

“That gives me the confidence like when I have these opportunities, he has put me in this position. So I walk in there with confidence, ready to go and dominate. So much respect to D.J. and Sauce, they’ve shown nothing but love and support and helping us all the way through this week.

“I love those guys, it’s a special unit we have here.”

Not only did the secondary perform well when they needed to in the second half, but so did the Jets’ defensive line, as they put pressure on Hurts, causing him to make mistakes outside of the pocket. Throughout the day, Hurts effectively used his legs to escape the Jets defenders as they brought him down for only two sacks. However, on passing downs, they played their role in causing the interceptions, including Jermaine Johnson’s hit on Hurts, causing him to throw the ball to Hall on the interception.

Bryce Huff, who has been a situational pass rusher for the Jets, registered 1.5 sacks, three tackles, and a tackle for loss.

Hurts also threw interceptions to defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and later safety Tony Adams, which helped set up Breece Hall’s eight-yard touchdown run with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter that ultimately got them the win.

The Jets trailed at halftime 14-9 as their offense couldn’t get on track after miscues in the red zone and going 2 for 11 on third down conversions. However, as they’ve done before, the Jets defense put the game on their backs when the offense couldn’t generate much against a stout Eagles defense as they shut down one of the best offenses in the league.

“We’ve been through hell and back,” Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley said. “Looking back at ’21, all the injuries that we had, new defense, just trying to learn the way teams were attacking us, we’ve been in this scenario before as a defense.

“I really give a lot of credit to our coaching staff and obviously to the players. T.A. [Adams] and Michael Carter played two different spots they hadn’t played before and found out earlier this week. Everybody adjusted, everybody believed in each other, and we feel like if we can communicate all together, we can be a great defense.”

After Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles injury, many thought the Jets season was over as they were pegged as Super Bowl contenders after acquiring the former four-time NFL MVP. While there were some growing pains in losses to the Cowboys and the Patriots, the Jets have persevered and put all of their confidence in Zach Wilson and the team’s defense.

Although this is the same formula the Jets wanted to use a year ago to win games, one aspect is different and that’s their never wavering confidence in Wilson. The Jets are asking Wilson to keep them in games and take care of the football, which he has for the most part the last three weeks.

Wilson has thrown for 630 yards, two touchdowns, one interception as he trusts what he’s seeing on the field and is getting the ball to receivers quicker and more accurately than he has during his previous three seasons in the league.

That has allowed the Jets defense to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Chiefs and now the Eagles also their defense held Patrick Mahomes and Hurts to a combined 483 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions in both of those games. The Jets also caused quarterback Josh Allen to turn the ball over four times in the 22-16 Week 1 overtime victory against the Bills.

“He set the bar,” Jets linebacker Quincy Williams said about Reed’s comments about the Jets potentially being a legendary defense. “It is on us to set it higher or meet that bar.

“Our biggest thing is being the best defense ever. So that bar is set and every single week, our focus is to go 1-0 and doing our job, getting to that. Coaches are helping with the players and the players are helping with the coaches.”

Reed might have compared the Jets to the 85′ Bears and the 13′ Seahawks and while the Jets have a long way to go to reach that bar, they don’t have to. As writer Norman Vincent Peale once said, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

No, the Jets aren’t the 85′ Bears, but as they’ve shown against the Chiefs and Eagles, their defense is good enough to compete with any team in the league. That, along with the running ability of Hall and the talented Garrett Wilson, will give them a chance to clinch one of the seven AFC playoff spots come January.

“They don’t think too highly of us as far as our offense,” Garrett Wilson said. “Every week, we are going to have that chip on our shoulder as we are trying to improve. They have their right to have their opinion and we have the right to prove it wrong.

So, that’s what we are going to continue to do.”