Jets Country

Jets Bracing For Another Challenge in Run Game, Facing Browns' 'One-Two Punch'

No time for the Jets to rest in defending the run game as they transition from their performance against the Ravens to their matchup with the Browns in Week 2

Max Goodman

In this story:

After a strong performance against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens' unique rushing attack in their Week 1 loss, the Jets are preparing for another challenging matchup in the trenches in Week 2.

New York travels to Cleveland, set to face the two-headed monster of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. 

Last season, the Browns were fourth in the NFL, averaging 145.4 rushing yards per game. They flexed that dominance on the ground in their Week 1 win over the Panthers, rushing for 217 yards (second-most yards in the league to open the 2022 season).

Against Carolina, Chubb racked up 141 rushing yards on 22 carries. Hunt added 46 rushing yards on 11 touches with a touchdown. 

"They have, arguably, the best one-two punch at running back between Chubb and Hunt," Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Friday. "[Offensive line coach] Bill Callahan and [head coach Kevin] Stefanski, they do as good of a job as anyone with regards to creating issues in the run game. So, they’re very talented there."

Star defensive end Carl Lawson—who has plenty of experience against the Browns from his time in the AFC North with the Bengals—also praised Cleveland's rushing attack, calling Hunt and Chubb two of the top-10 backs in the league. 

Cleveland's rushing attack is much more traditional. While the Ravens use a mobile quarterback as the focal point of their ground game, with plenty of misdirection and deception, the Browns will pound the rock all afternoon, even when you know it's coming.

"This one’s different in the sense that you pretty much know where they’re running, how they’re going to do it, and they don’t care. It’s a different mentality, which you appreciate as a football coach," Saleh added. "They are running the ball, they still have good pass game and all that stuff too, they’ve got great play action, pass system. Now, this one is more direct, but at the same time, they get you running, they move gaps, and it’s a really cool scheme."

Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich explained that similar to Week 1, if New York is unable to stop the run, it'll be a long game for their defense. The mindset remains the same entering this matchup—setting the edge and bringing all 11 hats to the football—but the type of runners they're facing will be a little bit different.

"They’re both powerful, they’re both strong, they’re both extremely fast," Ulbrich told reporters on Thursday. "They’ve got the ability to do the dirty work inside and push the pile and do the hard ball running. But they also have the ability to finish runs because they both have explosiveness, top end speed."

In Week 1, the Jets limited Baltimore to 63 rushing yards. Only two other teams had fewer rushing yards to begin the campaign. They still couldn't stop the explosive plays through the air as the game developed, though. That's what led to a blowout victory for the Ravens.

If New York can keep the Browns in third-and-long situations, forcing them to throw the football (with quarterback Jacoby Brissett), they'll be in a good spot on that side of the ball. To put it bluntly, containing those two backs and setting an edge early on is one of the Jets' only paths to victory.

"It’s rare in this modern-day NFL that you get back-to-back games like this where they’re a run first team, so it’s a great challenge for us," Ulbrich said.

MORE:

Follow Max Goodman on Twitter (@MaxTGoodman), be sure to bookmark Jets Country and check back daily for news, analysis and more.

Published
Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

Home/News