BALTIMORE — There is an axiom that football is the ultimate team game, that you can’t win just on one side of the ball. With every performance by their defensive line the Jets squander, the axiom is proven true.
Gang Green’s defensive line, led by burgeoning star Muhammad Wilkerson, was stellar yet again Sunday. But the team’s offense proved bad enough to overcome the defensive line’s excellence once again in a 19-3 loss at Baltimore.
Wilkerson had two sacks, three quarterback hits and a tackle for a loss Sunday. But even that wasn’t enough.
“We lost. We didn’t play Jets’ football,” said Wilkerson, whose 10 sacks are already the most by a Jet since John Abraham had 10 ½ back in 2005. “We’ve got to stop the run, and don’t let the ball get over our head. That’s the game plan. We’re a talented group, and we can’t let that happen.”
But he insisted the offense’s woes behind struggling rookie quarterback Geno Smith haven’t heaped even more pressure on the defense.
“I never feel pressure,’’ said Wilkerson. “I’m always prepared. You always have to be prepared for everything.’’
To be fair, the Jets’ defensive line sure looked prepared. Even with Pro Bowler Ray Rice in the backfield, they held the Ravens to 2.2 yards per carry, even better than the paltry 2.9 they’ve limited foes to all year.
And of the defense’s four sacks, Wilkerson and rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson combined for 2 ½, along with four tackles for losses and four more quarterback hits.
“We did all right; gave up a few big plays, not too many. But we’ve got to do better on the big plays, we’ve got to get turnovers, regardless. We’ve got to help the offense out as much as we can,’’ said Richardson. “We’ve got to turn it around, got to turn this ship around. That’s it.’’
The Jets held the Ravens to a modest 362 yards, and Baltimore coach John Harbaugh tried trickery to move the ball against Gang Green, including mobile backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor taking direct snaps and even catching passes.
“The Jets played their hearts out. Excellent defensive front, especially,’’ said Harbaugh. “Excellent defense. They put a lot of pressure on you.’’
Now, with the way Smith has regressed, the pressure is on the Jets. They have fallen to 5-6 after losing back-to-back games for the first time all season, and by the looks of it any win they get may have to come on the backs of the defensive line.
“We’ve got to try and win every game,’’ said Wilkerson. “That’s our mind-set at every game: We’ve got to try and win.’’