Can Darrelle Revis contain Sammy Watkins?

As the New York Jets do their best to forget about their Week 1 loss, all eyes will be on cornerback Darrelle Revis as he prepares for wide receiver Sammy Watkins.

Last week, cornerback Darrelle Revis was absolutely torched by wide receiver A.J. Green as if there was no tomorrow. Green had a field day against Revis and the defense of the New York Jets to the tune of 180 receiving yards, 12 receptions, and a touchdown.

It’s no secret that Revis didn’t look the same at all against Green in the grand scheme of things. All week long the Jets were preaching how he would get safety help in containing Green but Revis was completely off in this Week 1 matchup.

Whether it’s age, a decline in play, or the fact that he’s still getting used to the gridiron after getting wrist surgery during the offseason, Revis will once again have his hands full. The Jets are on a short week as they head to Buffalo to take on the Bills on Thursday Night Football.

With the Bills comes another big challenge for Revis in the form of wide receiver Sammy Watkins. At 6’2 and 211 pounds, he’s the top receiving threat on a team not only looking to embarrass the Jets once again in primetime football but also bounce back from their Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

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Last week against the Ravens, Watkins only totaled 43 receiving yards on four receptions and failed to score a single touchdown.

Since the Bills know something is obviously wrong with Revis, they will strike early and often against him with Watkins.

Hopefully, Revis understands that last week should be history and focus on the task at hand.

Since Watkins didn’t do much last week, expect quarterback Tyrod Taylor to air it out against the Jets similar to what quarterback Andy Dalton did last week with Green.

Unless Revis truly understands that he has to work up to his potential, expect Watkins to make another example out of him in this Week 2 matchup. It’s unfortunate since Revis knows he’s one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL but must act the part before things truly get out of hand.

Even head coach Todd Bowles knows what Watkins brings to the table. Courtesy of the Media Relations Department of the Jets, here is what Bowles said to reporters in a recent press conference in regards to what awaits them against Watkins:

On what challenges Sammy Watkins presents for the secondary…

Same problem we had last year, he’s fast, he’s good and he’s similar to A.J. (Green) and we have our work cut out for us.

On if it changes his approach toward Watkins if he isn’t fully healthy…

No, we have to take care of ourselves. We have our own things to correct and go play football. Whoever plays, plays, that’s up to them, we can’t be concerned about that.

must read: Todd Bowles ready to rightfully move onto Buffalo

Overall, while it’s hopeful Revis can bounce back against the Bills, it’s just not going to realistically happen. The Bills have the Jets’ number and Watkins is ready to have an even bigger game against Revis this time around.

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