The Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles are a combined 22-10 in their past 27 matchups, according to ESPN’s Mike Sando. And although the Jets won a 30-19 decision to the Eagles in Week 3 of the 2014 season, they struggled to move the ball against Nick Foles, Chris Long and his buddies. Here’s what The New York Times’ Jenna Johnson wrote after that game:
The Jets weren’t ready for this, playing sloppy coverage on receivers such as Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz. It was a lot like facing Buffalo rookie EJ Manuel, who had eight touchdown passes against them in Sunday’s season-opening loss at MetLife Stadium.
In that same game, the Eagles scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, while the Jets could only muster six. The kicker: For the past six seasons, the Jets have scored seven or fewer points in the fourth quarter.
On defense, the Jets were gouged by running back LeGarrette Blount for 120 yards on 20 carries, and the Eagles were able to generate enough scoring drives with their pass game — with 19-year-old wide receiver Mack Hollins recording nine catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns — to give Case Keenum fits.
In addition to giving Keenum a fight, the Eagles will throw some different looks at the Jets, notably inserting Philadelphia safety Malcolm Jenkins into the box for a larger role, a move that takes away New York’s speed receivers such as Robby Anderson and Jalin Marshall.
With Chip Kelly now out of the coaching picture, he obviously seems to have directed Foles, too. The former Minnesota Viking struggles to elude pressure, and his inability to escape the pocket allowed opposing defenses to make plays with the quarterback.
But he’s had success running the ball, and last season Philly was the fourth-highest rushing team in the NFL. But can the Jets stop Philadelphia’s ground game and make Foles one-dimensional, too?