After a home win against NFC North rival Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions (2-1) head to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Jets (1-2) who are coming off a Monday Night loss to the Chicago Bears. Although the Lions have been able to win games this season due to the excellent play of their defense, they still have the best wide receiver in the NFL in Calvin Johnson. With 33 targets, Johnson is tied with Emmanuel Sanders for the second most targets among all wide receivers. Johnson also ranks fourth in receiving yards (329) and eighth in receptions (19).
The Jets need to make sure they keep Johnson in front of them at all times. Johnson has been targeted 11 times in the deep passing game (20+ yards), tied with both Julio Jones and Jeremy Maclin for best in the league. Of those 11 targets, five were deemed catchable. Johnson has reeled in all catchable passes, giving him five receptions (second best in the league) for 156 yards (third best in the league) and two touchdowns (tied for first) when targeted deep downfield.
The Jet’s secondary has been depleted by injuries and they may have a difficult time matching up against Johnson. As Dee Milliner is likely to sit out again, Antonio Allen is expected to line up across from Johnson on Sunday. A converted safety, Allen (-0.4) hasn’t been awful in coverage, although he hasn’t been good either. Allen has not only been targeted a league high 31 times but he has also allowed 19 receptions (61.3 completion percentage), the second most in the league. Although Allen has allowed 205 yards (tied for fifth worst) and opposing quarterbacks have a rating of 80.7 when throwing his direction, Allen has yet to allow a touchdown and has also defended against three passes, tied for third best.
Here are three more notable numbers for each side:
Detroit Lions
Riley Reiff – behind only Calvin Johnson, Reiff (+2.4) has graded out as the Lions highest rated overall offensive player and has yet to allow a sack.
Nick Fairley – has five total defensive stops and a Run Stop Percentage of 13.2%; Fairley is tied for 10th best among all defensive tackles in both respective categories.
Glover Quin – in coverage, has been targeted six times, allowing three receptions for only 20 total yards and an interception.
New York Jets
Nick Mangold – has taken 120 snaps at center (10th most), is tied for first with a Pass Blocking Efficiency rating of 100.0.
Chris Ivory – with a total of 38 touches thus far has forced 16 missed tackles for an Elusive Rating of 163.3 (fifth best).
Jeremy Kerley – has been Geno Smith’s favorite target through three weeks, targeting him 22 times for a quarterback rating of 100.8.
Recently at PFF
PFF Podcast – September 25th
PFF Pick'em: Week 4
All-Star Team of the Week: Week 3
ReFo: Packers @ Lions, Week 3
ReFo: Bears @ Jets, Week 3
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.