Darnold, Jets Can Find Exploits vs. Man Coverage
Finding leaks in the Buffalo Bills’ defense is an unenviable task. A season ago, they were elite as both a man-to-man defense, as well as in zone. They don’t run a ton of man-to-man, but when they do, the Jets had best find ways to overcome it. It will be the best way to win when Buffalo isn’t in their Cover 4.
Luckily for them, they have the personnel that can alleviate that a bit. The Jets went out and signed former Buccaneer Breshad Perriman. Per PFF, he ranked as the No. 2 most effective receiver against man coverage (a 90.2 grade). Opposite him, the Jets were supposed to have second-round pick Denzel Mims, who will miss the Jets game with a hamstring injury. He could be headed to IR.
That will be difficult to overcome, but the Jets have to feel confident in what they have. Across two meetings last season, Jamison Crowder averaged 11.0 catches, 82.5 yards, and scored a touchdown against the Bills. In that 2019 Week One game, his separation ability in man coverage was among the first things Darnold praised him for.
Depth wise, the Jets figure to add one more receiver to have five for Sunday afternoon’s game. But, they also added Chris Hogan, who, whenever he’s been healthy and available, has been combustible against the Bills as a slot option.
Last season, Sam Darnold was significantly better against zone than man in 2019, which is interesting because he was rock solid against man coverage. For his sake, he’d better hope the “ghosts” he saw in 2019 were busted. There’s reason to trust that coverage trend regressing to the norm in year three.
