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The Jets had one of the better coverage games in recent memory in New England. Dan looks back and ahead to the challenge for the DB’s in Pittsburgh.
Surprisingly, Tom Brady’s first pass attempt to a receiver went to Deion Branch, who was being covered by Darrelle Revis on the short right side. Revis broke it up. Strange first choice. Perhaps he was testing the waters.
Revis did give up a completion on the second series, to Wes Welker, a square out on the left side for a gain of 10.
Revis had back-to-back terrific plays late in the first half. First he had a PD on Branch down the deep left side, and then on the next play, he stopped Woodhead on a pass in the short left flat for a gain of just three. Brady, obviously frustrated and fed-up, just kneeled on the next play to end the half.
Late in the third quarter, Branch actually beat Revis over the middle for a gain of 16 yards.
Antonio Cromartie did some good things. We all know his tackling has been criticized throughout his career, but one of his best plays involved tackling. On the first series of the game, TE Rob Gronkowski caught a short pass on the right side, and Cromartie stopped him in his tracks, after a gain of seven, and didn’t allow any yards after the catch. This is a 6-5, 260 pound tight end and Cro didn’t back down.
Cro was implicated on a 28-yard reception to TE Alge Crumpler over the middle of the second series. There was a probably an element of surprise here, because the Pats rarely throw to Crumpler.
Cro had a very nice PD on Branch on a back shoulder throw by Brady late in the game. On the Pats final touchdown, Cro was covering Branch, but let him go when he went to the middle of the end zone, clearly thinking he had help, but he didn’t. Nobody picked him up.
Cro had a PD on pass to Branch on the left side to end a late drive. This was a bad decision by Brady. Revis was out of the game with a muscle cramp, so why would you got at Cromartie? Go at Revis’ replacement or the nickel back.
Drew Coleman is a terrific tackler for a cornerback. On the second series, Danny Woodhead caught a screen on the left side, and Coleman made a one-one-one stop with no help in the left flat, after just a gain of three. Early in the second quarter, on third-and-five, Coleman ended a drive with a sack on a corner blitz.
Another example of solid tackling by Coleman was late in the game. It was third-and-10, and Brady dumped a pass to Welker on the short right side, and the Coleman didn’t allow the receiver any RAC, and the Pats had to settle for a field goal.
Dwight Lowery got a break on the second series. Crumpler beat him up the middle, and into the end zone, but dropped a potential touchdown pass.
Lowery had a terrific play on the first play of an early second quarter possession. He had an impressive PD on Welker on a pass over the short middle.
Late in the third quarter, Lowery was beat for a gain of 26 down the left seam by Growkowski.
On third-and-three, in the middle of the second quarter, Tom Brady had an eternity to throw, but couldn’t find anyone open, and eventually threw it away. Tremendous coverage! This scenario happened on a few occasions.
James Ihedigbo was the closest player to Crumpler, on his third quarter touchdown, that ended up making it 14-11.
Eric Smith was a force on special teams with three tackles and he also recovered an on-side kicker. He also had seven tackles on defense, including one where he cracked Welker’s helmet.
Looking ahead to the Pittsburgh game – I wouldn’t worry too much about the two starting corners, who are both playing well.
But looking back to the last Jets-Pittsburgh matchup, Drew Coleman had major issues with the underrated Emanuel Sanders. This from the film breakdown of that game –
“On the Steelers long, early second quarter drive, Coleman gave up a pair of completions to WR Emanuel Sanders in a short span, for 12 and 13 yards. Late in the second quarter, Sanders beat Coleman over the middle, but dropped the ball. Late in the third quarter, Wallace beat Coleman on a crossing route for a gain of 17. On the Steelers last possession, Sanders beat Coleman for a gain of 11 on the left side.”
The Jets better come up with a much better plan to deal with Sanders, who Big Ben is throwing to more and more.
Also, in the first matchup, Heath Miller didn’t play. He’s one of the NFL’s best tight ends. And even in the Jets impressive win in New England, like most of the year, the tight end coverage wasn’t good. Crumpler had one touchdown, and should have had two. Also, Rob Gronkowski had several big plays.
A huge key to a Jets win on Sunday is how they cover Sanders and Miller.
