Jets' Pass Rush Adds Another Victim; Raiders' Aidan O'Connell Next?

Defense making habit of harassing opposing quarterbacks, including NFL's best

The New York Jets' defensive front made life miserable for another opposing quarterback.

Consistently applying pressure, Gang Green held Los Angeles Chargers' starter Justin Herbert to his lowest passing total (136) and completion percentage (53.3) this season. Herbert managed only 4.5 yards per attempt in the Week 9 matchup at MetLife Stadium. He was not intercepted, nor did he throw a touchdown pass.

"They’re a very good defense. They’re very well coached and they got after it today, but I thought we did a good job not turning the ball over," said Herbert.

The Jets sacked Herbert five times and got home for 13 quarterback hits.

"It’s simple. I love that group in the sense that they show up every play, every day," said head coach Robert Saleh.

It was not new behavior from Gang Green. Over a three-game sample, the Jets limited top-tier quarterbacks Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts to a combined 3:8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. 

The pass rush dropped Allen five times and forced him into three picks during a Week 1 win. Against the Chiefs, defensive end Bryce Huff drew a penalty that gave the Jets a safety on a Mahomes dropback while the Green & White registered nine hits on the reigning NFL MVP. In Week 6, they harassed Hurts into a season-low 59.5 quarterback rating. 

"Regardless of the score, regardless of what is happening on the other side, you get the ball back for the offense, period," said Saleh. "I think they work their tails off. It’s a good group. It’s an energetic group and at times, dominant."

The Jets (4-4) need the group to bring the energy on Sunday Night Football against the Las Vegas Raiders (4-5) and rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell. The Silver & Black seemingly have a renewed purpose following the dismissal of head coach Josh McDaniels. 

O'Connell has made two starts, one pre and one post-coaching change. In his first start, he was sacked seven times by the Chargers during a 24-17 setback. Last week, O'Connell took no sacks and posted a 90.2 passer rating in a 30-6 win over the New York Giants. 

"A guy that doesn’t look like a rookie by any means. Great poise," said Jets' defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich of the 26-year-old Purdue product. "He gets through his progressions fast, he delivers the ball accurately, and he’s got a little bit of crafty, sneaky athleticism to extend plays and move around. It’s going to be a great challenge."

O'Connell has one touchdown pass and two interceptions thus far and has yet to face a defense as potent as the Jets, who limit opposing quarterbacks to the second- lowest yards per pass play average (5.42) in the NFL. 

PFF's Top-Graded Cornerback Plays for the Jets

Gang Green ranks 12th amongst league leaders in sack rate (8.53%) and still manages to apply pressure even without getting the takedown. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who has only 0.5 sack this season, is a prime example. 

"He is affecting quarterbacks. He has got an exceptional pressure rate, the best pressure rate of his career at this point," said Ulbrich. "It’s not always illustrated by sacks, but he is still playing at an elite level."

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