New York Jets vs. New York Giants in MetLife Bowl: 5 Green Points
Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Linebackers in Coverage
The Jets offense isn’t the only first unit trying to get in sync before the regular season starts. Giants quarterback Eli Manning hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in the first two games of the preseason as Big Blue’s starting offense looks out of sorts.
Manning could opt to test the Jets linebackers in coverage.
Quinton Coples, in particular, didn’t play well against the Falcons last week. Falcons fullback Collin Mooney found daylight against Coples early in the flat, streaking 60 yards down the sideline after the catch in the opening drive.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford successfully targeted inside linebacker Demario Davis in the preseason opener. Davis surrendered a touchdown and a total of 49 yards in coverage on 10 snaps.
Davis’ poor coverage became evident last season when he surrendered 484 receiving yards and four touchdowns in a familiar chase-down scenario.
According to Bowles, Trevor Reilly will take the field as the strong-side linebacker in relief of Calvin Pace who’s nursing a groin injury, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
Reilly has taken the most snaps (81) among Jets linebackers and defended well against the pass, surrendering only one catch for 11 yards.
As a defensive guru expect Bowles to change up the coverages if the linebackers struggle to disrupt pass routes and chase down receivers, in Week 13 when the outcome of the game really means something.
Bowles spoke to the media with candor stating the fact that the teams play in December, which gives more reason not to show convoluted schemes. Well, it’s safe to say that Snoopy Trophy doesn’t mean that much to him especially with a rematch a few months away.
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All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise noted.
In-game play-by-play is provided by NFL.com.
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