Inside the Film Room: New York Jets’ Defense Stands Tall Against the Browns

Dec 22, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) reacts after being called for a personal foul in the first half against the Cleveland Browns during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, New York Jets’ faithful and Jet Press readers. Merry Christmas to all of you that celebrate. We hope you are enjoying your time with your families and friends, and we appreciate your time as you spend a few minutes with us as you partake in your Christmas breakfast.

With that, another week has gone by, so we go “Inside the Film Room” once again. This week, however, we are going to do things a little bit differently. Instead of going through a single play, we are going to go through a series of plays.

There were two points in the game that were huge for the Jets’ defense. In the first half, the Browns had the ball, first down and goal to go, on two separate occasions. On the first, the Jets’ held them to a field goal. On the second, they held them to a turnover on downs. Had either of these, or both of these been touchdowns for Cleveland, things may have been different.

So that is what we are going to look at this morning, the Jets’ two goal line stands that helped preserve the victory. The first took place in the first quarter, with just over eight minutes to go. Off of a Jason Campbell scramble, the Browns had a first and goal from the Jets’ eight yard line…….

Campbell hands off to Baker, who was lined up straight behind Campbell. Baker goes off-tackle, but Kenrick Ellis sheds his block and meets Baker in the hole, along with David Harris and they stop him for a one yard gain.

SECOND AND GOAL FROM THE BROWNS’ 7 YARD LINE: Campbell is in the shotgun, with one back next to him. There are two receivers left and one right. Little is on the outside to the right, near side. On the snap, Little makes a move around David Harris and heads to an open spot near the goal post. Campbell unloads, but high and it goes off of the hands of Little, with Dawan Landry waiting nearby.

THIRD AND GOAL FROM THE BROWNS’ 7: The Browns line up in the same formation as the previous play. Campbell takes the snap and looks down field for an open man. He steps up in the pocket, right to where Calvin Pace is shedding his blocker. He catches up with Campbell as the quarterback has stepped up and drops him for a sack and a loss of two yards.

See above, where Pace is making an excellent diving tackle for the sack. The result was a field goal. Big break for the Jets, as I assure you we were ALL thinking.

The second “first and goal” comes in the second quarter. We all thought that the Jets had already held the Browns, until the bogus penalty was called on Sheldon Richardson. That set the Browns up with a fresh set of downs from the Jets’ two yard line.

FIRST AND GOAL FROM THE JETS’ 2: Campbell is lined up under center, with running back Baker lined up straight behind him. No receivers are spread out wide so it is clearly a run formation. Campbell takes the snap and hands to Baker. Baker tries the right side, and makes a jump cut to what initially looks like a hole. However, David Harris and Sheldon Richardson met him in that hole, stopping Baker for a one yard gain.

SECOND AND GOAL FROM THE JETS’ 1: Campbell again takes the snap from center, and performs a well executed play fake to Baker, getting a portion of the Jets’ defense to commit to the run. Campbell rolls right, with the tight end Barnidge. He was open briefly in the end zone, but Leger Douzable cuts off the throwing lane, so Campbell must continue to roll, and Barnidge is covered up, so Campbell has to throw the ball away.

THIRD AND GOAL FROM THE JETS’ 1: This time, Campbell is lined up in the shotgun. One back is next to him, and four wide receivers are in the pattern. They start with two on each side, motioning one to the left side, leaving Josh Gordon one on one with Dee Milliner on the left side. Campbell beats Milliner, is open in the back of the end zone. However, the throw is a bit high, and Gordon is unable to come down with the ball.

FOURTH AND GOAL FROM THE JETS’ 1: Again, Campbell is in the shotgun for this play. Two receivers are to the left, and two to the right. Campbell takes the snap, and Josh Gordon starts his route from the slot to the left. He runs straight, and then releases on an out route. He does break free, but Campbell hits him too close to the sideline, and Gordon can’t get both feet down. The Jets get the ball as the Browns turn it over on downs.

So a combination of luck and good play adds up to two huge scenarios for the Jets. They were scenarios that went a long way in deciding the outcome against the Browns as well.