National Football League

Strange season for Jets' top-ranked defense

Published Dec. 24, 2009 9:31 p.m. ET

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The New York Jets have a dream defense on paper, a unit that's ranked No. 1 overall in the league and has piled up some gaudy stats.

The problem has been inconsistency and the inability to close out games, preventing the defense from being considered great instead of just very good.

``It doesn't really matter where we're ranked,'' defensive end Mike DeVito said Thursday. ``It's all about winning games. We'll take winning games over everything else.''

The defense has failed a few times when it had the chance to secure victories, last week being another frustrating example. After dominating for most of the game, the Jets gave up a touchdown to Atlanta with less than 2 minutes left and lost 10-7.

``Yeah, you never want to see that,'' cornerback Darrelle Revis said, ``at the end of the game, us going out there and giving one up at the end.''

With perhaps their playoff hopes at stake, the Jets (7-7) face a major test in the undefeated Indianapolis Colts. New York is preparing as if Peyton Manning and other stars will play the entire game, even though it's possible coach Jim Caldwell will pull them early.

``It doesn't matter if Tom Matte is the running back,'' coach Rex Ryan said. ``We're going to play them and we're preparing for Peyton Manning, and we're preparing for Reggie Wayne and all those guys. If somebody else is in that position, so be it.''

The Jets could actually provide a stiff test for the Colts' offense. Among the many categories New York leads the league in are pass defense, yards allowed, offensive points allowed, yards per play and scoring drives. One would think that would add up to a team fighting for a No. 1 overall seed, not for its playoff life.

``A lot of the critics are like, 'Oh, the Jets, they stink, they don't have that good a defense,''' defensive end Shaun Ellis said. ``The numbers are the numbers. If we were 10-0, they probably would still be saying the same thing. It's just one of those things where they don't want to give us credit for whatever reason.''

The players take pride in being called the top defense in the league, but realize there are some fans and media who believe they're nothing more than paper tigers because a dominant, impenetrable defense was expected. Ellis, the longest-tenured member of the Jets, insists this defense is excellent. He thinks the negative talk stems from an overall lack of respect for the franchise.

``It just seems like we're always the team the media can just pick on, say this and that about us,'' he said. ``It just seems like when other teams struggle, they always give them uplifting and encouraging words, like, 'Oh, they still have a chance,' and all that. When it comes to us, it's just like, throw it in and pack it in.

``I've been here long enough to experience that and I don't understand that. It's like we're the laughingstock of the NFL.''

Much of the criticism this year is because of the late-game breakdowns the defense has had after strong performance for three-plus quarters.

``We want to be known as a group of closers, not guys that are going to fade at the end of the game,'' defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said. ``That's frustrating. That's a culture we need to change here in our defensive room.''

The broken coverage on Tony Gonzalez's touchdown catch last Sunday was a prime example, while the Jets have also allowed late leads to slip away against Jacksonville and Miami.

``It wasn't really what other teams were doing,'' Ellis said, ``but a matter of us not communicating different assignments and give up a play here or there.''

The Jets have also been knocked for scoring only one touchdown on defense and not creating enough turnovers. The growing pains of rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has thrown 20 interceptions, have also contributed to the defense being on the field more often than the Jets would like.

``You can break down all of our games and break down every category and it's tough to win games when, I mean, everybody knows, when you turn the ball over,'' Ellis said. ``That's no knock on Sanchez or anybody else. We've just got to play smart and know the ball is our jewel and we've got to give our best chance to win the game, which is not turning it over.''

The reality is the Jets do have a terrific defense, one that has the talent to be even better. A big performance against the Colts - and a win - could go a long way in them earning the respect they desire.

``I think it will mean we're one step closer to our ultimate goal, which is to get into the playoffs,'' Pettine said. ``That is our priority. Is it a statement game for our defense? Every week is a challenge in the NFL. This one is bigger than usual. I think our guys rise to those challenges.''

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