Breaking Down New York Jets' Top-Ranked Rushing Defense

The wildly inconsistent New York Jets (5-5) boast the top-ranked rushing defense in the NFL, giving up a total of 73.2 rushing yards per game. The Jets are in contention for the final AFC playoff berth specifically because of their stout run defense.

For the Jets to claim a chokehold on the final playoff spot, continually playing lights-out up front is key. New York's front seven is the primary component of a rebuilt roster that features a large contingency of youth.

Head coach Rex Ryan prides himself on formulating high-octane blitz packages that typically require just four pass-rushers. The Jets' uncanny ability to force pressure on opposing quarterbacks without stacking the box with pass-rushers separates their knack for stuffing ball-carriers up front from that of other schemes.

New York's relentless ability to pursue ball-carriers in the backfield has redefined the prototype for elite run-stuffing defenses in the NFL.

The biggest reason for the Jets' success up front isn't scheming, though.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson are dynamic down linemen that can man any position on the front.

New York's ability to take advantage of crucial matchups in the trenches by utilizing the versatility of its two most effective defensive linemen enables the team to effectively stop the run.

Nose tackle Damon "Big Snacks" Harrison is also an equally dominating member of the Jets' run-stuffing D-line. At 340 pounds, Harrison showcases excellent footwork, which makes him extremely difficult to block. He effectively clogs rushing lanes in the middle of the field, which limits opponents' ability to execute a balanced run game.

The Jets' 3-4 base defense is highly efficient at stopping the run, yielding 2.9 yards per rush attempt.

However, New York features dynamic personnel groupings on defense, allowing the team to mix and match at the line of scrimmage.

Newfound outside linebacker Quinton Coples hasn't entirely hit his stride as an edge-rusher, recording just one sack in seven starts this season. With that said, he is capable of lining up in a 3-point stance in the trenches in certain formations that require an extra down lineman.

Coples' inherent comfort with playing defensive end benefits the Jets when opposing offenses line up in two-tight-end sets. This allows the Jets' premier rushers, Wilkerson and Richardson, to avoid double-teams and explode off their blocks in time to stuff ball-carriers at or near the line of scrimmage.

	Yards	TDs	Yards/Attempt	First Downs
2012	2,138	17	4.3	96
2013	732	6	2.9	35

In 10 games this season, the Jets have allowed more than 90 cumulative rushing yards once. It happened in a Week 3 win over the 4-7 Buffalo Bills.

The Jets have held several highly praised running backs in check in 2013—namely Chris Johnson and Doug Martin. Their ability to execute dynamic run-stuffing schemes while creatively using defensive personnel has forced most opponents to adopt a one-dimensional offensive game plan.

New York's run-stuffing prowess also prevents opposing teams from sustaining long drives.

The Jets have given up 176 first downs this season, a number that represents that fifth-lowest total in the league. Gang Green has allowed 35 rushes for first downs on 126 drives all season, conceding a league-best 5.3 plays per drive.

Stuffing the run was a horrid problem for the Jets in 2012. New York ranked 30th in the NFL against the ground game, giving up nearly 130 rushing yards per contest. An infusion of youth, combined with effective use of personnel, has allowed the Jets to nearly slice that number in half.

The Jets' top-ranked rushing defense is the main reason behind their turnaround in 2013 and could propel them to a surprise playoff run if they're able to conjure some kind of consistency in other facets of the game down the stretch.