Cornerback D.J. Reed Believes Jets Defense Has Potential to Match Iconic Super Bowl Squad
Entering the season, the New York Jets are already touted as a formidable defensive force in the NFL. However, cornerback D.J. Reed believes this might be a conservative assessment.
During a conference call with media, Reed expressed confidence that the Jets' defense has the potential to rival iconic units like the 1985 Chicago Bears�a team often cited as having one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. That Bears squad led the league in multiple defensive categories including yards and points allowed, among others.
In comparison, last season's Jets squad displayed impressive stats. They ranked fourth in both yards and points allowed, third in first downs allowed, and led the league in passing touchdowns prevented. Additionally, they ranked second in points per drive and fifth in both Football Outsiders' DVOA and Tru Media's EPA (expected points added) per play. Interestingly, these numbers were achieved despite subpar stats in generating pressure and forcing turnovers, suggesting that there is room for improvement.
While it's true that defensive performance can fluctuate from season to season, the Jets appear well-equipped for continued success. With Reed and Sauce Gardner as cornerbacks, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh at the helm, and a solid lineup of defensive linemen, staying among the NFL's top defensive units seems plausible.
However, aspiring to the status of the 1985 Bears is no small feat. Even if the Jets were to lead in every defensive metric, they would need to surpass the competition in an extraordinary manner to be mentioned in the same breath as that legendary unit. While accomplishing such a feat is technically possible, it is far from a given.
| POLL | ||
5 SEPTEMBRE | 17 ANSWERS Cornerback D.J. Reed Believes Jets Defense Has Potential to Match Iconic Super Bowl Squad will the Jets beat the Bills on Monday Night? | ||
| Yes | 7 | 41.2 % |
| No | 10 | 58.8 % |
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