Get to know the faces of the New York Jets offensive and defensive units heading into the team's Week 4 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
New York Jets tackle Ryan Clady (78) blocks New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) during an NFL preseason football game on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York Giants won 21-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Jets guard James Carpenter (77) takes the field against the Washington Redskins, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, Washington, D.C. The Redskins defeated the Jets 22-18. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
New York Jets center Nick Mangold (74) calls out to teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New York Jets guard Brian Winters (67) during a week 14 NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on December 13, 2015 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Jets offensive lineman Ben Ijalana (71) run blocks in action against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday September 1, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pa. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) scrambles out of the pocket past offensive tackle Brent Qvale (79) during the first half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New York Jets tight end Kellen Davis (47) catches a warm up pass during a NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, November 1, 2015 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game 34-20. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) celebrates with teammates Matt Forte (22) and Nick Mangold (74) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) passes against the Buffalo Bills during the first half an NFL football game on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New York Jets running back Matt Forte (22) looks for extra yardage after catching a flat pass for a short gain in the fourth quarter during the 2016 NFL week 2 regular season football game against the against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Jets won the game 37-31. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Jets DE Leonard Williams celebrates during the Jets Bills game in Buffalo, N.Y. on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (Chris Cecere/AP Images for Nike)
New York Jets defensive tackle Steve McLendon (99) sacks Cincinnati Bengals' Andy Dalton (14) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets line backer Jordan Jenkins (48) rushes against the Washington Redskins, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, Washington, D.C. The Redskins defeated the Jets 22-18. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
New York Jets linebacker Erin Henderson (58) during the NFL regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015 in Arlington, TX. The Jets won, 19-16. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Jets outside linebacker Darron Lee (50) runs downfield against the New York Giants during an NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, in East Rutherford, NJ. The Giants won 21-20. (Ed Mulholland/AP Images for Panini)
New York Jets linebacker David Harris (52) looks up from the sideline with his helmet off during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, December 19, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. The Jets won the game, 19-16. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) walks during a break in the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New York Jets cornerback Buster Skrine (41) participates in warmups before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) defends during the first half of an NFL football game against Buffalo Bills on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New York Jets safety Calvin Pryor (25) warms up before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
New York Jets free safety Marcus Gilchrist (21) celebrates during an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York Giants won 21-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Jets kicker Nick Folk (2) kicks a field goal in action against the New England Patriots Sunday October 25, 2015 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Jets punter Lachlan Edwards (4) follows through after a punt in action against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday September 1, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pa. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Jets long snapper Tanner Purdue (46) relaxes before the game against the Buffalo Bills Thursday November 12, 2015 in East Rutherford, N.J. Buffalo defeated the Jets 22-17. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Jets senior reporter and insider Eric Allen provides a closer look at the Seattle Seahawks' Week 4 opponent:
1. The Seahawks have already faced two talented defensive lines in games against Miami and St. Louis, and now they have another tough test. Just how important to what the Jets do defensively is their star-studded front, and what kind of challenges will it present to the Seahawks?
Allen: The Jets defensive front is one of the most talented position groups in all of football. In the home opener, the D-line accounted for six of the team's seven sacks of Bengals QB Andy Dalton. The sack numbers haven't been there the past two weeks, but that line is a huge reason why the team ranks No. 3 overall in rush defense. Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams, Sheldon Richardson and Steve McLendon are all interior disruptors. In an attack scheme where the team has frequently lined up with four down linemen, these are players who consistently get push up the middle. If they keep Russell Wilson and/or Trevone Boykin in the pocket, the throwing lanes won't be there. The Jets like their rotational players quite a bit too as both veteran Jarvis Jenkins and Deon Simon will probably see some time Sunday once again. While Christine Michael has run well for the 'Hawks, this will be his toughest challenge to date.
2. How are Ryan Fitzpatrick and the offense responding to a tough outing at Kansas City, and was there a common theme in those six interceptions last week, or was it more a case of a team getting behind and becoming one-dimensional?
Allen: The most amazing thing about Sunday was the final score. Despite turning the ball over eight times, the Jets were literally in the game until Derrick Johnson's INT return for a score late in the fourth quarter. Last season, the Jets finished No. 3 overall in terms of red zone efficiency. But they were 0-of-4 against the Chiefs and they rank 28th overall (37.5%) entering Week 4. Fitzpatrick said he can't force the action in the red area and the Jets certainly can't let opportunities slip away against this stingy Seattle defense. Falling behind 17-0 to the Chiefs after three turnovers meant catch-up all day and the Jets never really found their rhythm offensively. Speaking of Fitz, he has thrown two-or-more touchdown passes in nine consecutive home games.
3. How is the depth at receiver if Eric Decker and/or Jalin Marshall can't go?
Allen: Jalin Marshall is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks, so the Green and White re-signed Jeremy Ross on Thursday and he figures to be the team's primary returner against the Seahawks. Decker, who has a touchdown reception in eight consecutive home games and has flourished in this offense, will not play with a shoulder injury. Second-year wideout Quincy Enunwa is an emerging force who leads the club with 17 receptions and 183 receiving yards. Temple product Robby Anderson, a speed demon who led the NFL this preseason with 264 receiving yards, can stretch the field. The Jets have two of the better receiving running backs around in Forte and Bilal Powell. The team also claimed talented tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins off of waivers this week.
4. What has Matt Forte brought to the offense? Looking at his stats, it certainly looks like the veteran back still has plenty left in the tank?
Allen: Forte is an outstanding player. The rest of the world tries to write running backs off at 30, but Forte has plenty left. His speed is underrated because he's a smooth, instinctive runner with excellent vision and unique patience. Forte also seems to avoid the big hits and he is a threat in the passing game. The Jets also have Powell, who has averaged 8.1 yards per carry on just nine attempts.
5. Seahawks fans know Todd Bowles well from his time with Arizona. How much different is what he does with the Jets defense than what the Seahawks used to face against their NFC West rival? On a related note, are the big pass plays given up in the first two games a cause for concern facing a Seattle offense that likes to take its shots downfield, or were they more of an early-season aberration?
Allen: I think you know what you are going to get out of Todd Bowles. He likes to pressure, he is multiple and flexible with fronts and coverages and he puts players in positions to make plays. The Jets are built from the inside out. Bowles and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers really excel on third down, changing looks and bringing the heat. Through three weeks, the Jets currently rank 9th (36.1%) in third-down defense. The Jets lamented coverage busts and miscommunications the first couple of weeks and they know teams will continue to take their shots vertically. While Alex Smith was efficient last week, the long pass wasn't a significant issue. Tight end Travis Kelce got loose for 89 yards receiving and the Jets know they'll have to be ready for Jimmy Graham in Week 4.
The Seahawks face off against the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Jets.
Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Jets. NFL photos by Maurice Photo Inc.Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25)
