The (2-10) New York Jets head to TCF Bank stadium on Sunday to visit the (5-7) Minnesota Vikings. The Jets are coming off of a late loss to the Dolphins at home on Monday night and are just trying to finish out the final stretch of the season on a positive note. The Vikings won at home against Carolina last week after playing the Packers to the wire the week before — they're on the rise and will be a tough out for any team the remainder of the season.
This could be a tough game for both teams to manufacture a consistent running game. Success will hinge on some of the key battles up front. Vikings center John Sullivan will see a lot of Jets nose tackle Damon Harrison this week. Sullivan had our fourth-highest run-blocking grade last year at +16.9. He has fallen off a bit, but his +5.0 run-blocking grade still ranks 12th overall and leads the Vikings. Damon Harrison ranks fourth out of all interior lineman with a +15.7 run defense grade and he leads in both Run Stop Percentage at 14.4% and in total run stops with 26.
Here are a few other players to watch for.
New York Jets
Nick Mangold – Our top-ranked center at +23.6 overall, also leads the way in Pass Blocking Efficiency at 99.1 and has only allowed five pressures all year.
Demario Davis – His run grade of +8.1 ranks fourth out of all inside linebackers and his Tackling Efficiency of 26.3 ranks second.
Muhammad Wilkerson – Wilkerson’s +29.9 overall grade at the 3-4 end position only trails JJ Watt, and his 11.9% Run Stop Percentage also ranks second.
Minnesota Vikings
Joe Berger – Berger has held his own since filling in for the injured Brandon Fusco. His overall grade stands at +3.8 and over the last three games +5.4.
Sharrif Floyd – No defensive tackle has been better since week seven, as Floyd’s +18.3 overall grade leads the way. His Run Stop Percentage of 12.9% over that time ranks third.
Harrison Smith – Our third-highest safety grade of +11.8 belongs to Harrison Smith who also tops all safeties with a +7.5 run grade.
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