New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts NFL Week 13: Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams take on Andrew Luck
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The 3-8 New York Jets take on the 5-6 Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Monday Night Football. Andrew Luck returns from a concussion to face Gang Green in NFL Week 13. What is the #1 matchup to watch between these 2 AFC teams?
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New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts: Time, TV channel, how to watch Monday Night Football live | OregonLive.com The Colts expect to have quarterback Andrew Luck available after he missed the Colts loss to the Steelers on Thanksgiving night. The Jets are a major disappointment, and coach Todd Bowles could be the fall guy. |
| Source: www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2016/12/new_york_jets_vs_indianapolis.html | |
No Muhammad Wilkerson.
No Steve McLendon.
The New York Jets are down to 2 starters on the defensive line, with Big Mo questionable with an ankle injury and McLendon out with a hamstring injury. All the pressure will be on Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams to create a pass rush on quarterback Andrew Luck.
Richardson may seem like he is having a terrible year with only 1.5 sacks in 2016. However, the game tape shows that he constantly gets in the QB’s face in every game. He gets to the passer just as he releases the ball and takes the QB to the ground. He has the most quarterback hurries between him, Muhammad and Leonard but it has not resulted in sacks. Not only does he rush the passer but he is also a great run stopper such as when he tackled RB Dion Lewis on a running play on 2nd down and goal behind the line of scrimmage for a 2 yard loss against the New England Patriots.
Leonard Williams is having a Pro Bowl season for Gang Green. He leads New York with 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 22 quarterback hits. He is tied with Wilkerson with 8 tackles for loss, behind Sheldon’s 10 TFL.
”He’s gotten a lot better and he can get so much better. He’s making a lot of progress. He doesn’t have a ceiling, but he doesn’t have a basement, either. Right now, he’s steadily ascending.” praises head coach Todd Bowles.
The matchup favors the defensive line of the Jets. The Indianapolis Colts have allowed 38 sacks, which is 2nd worst in the league. Only the Cleveland Browns have given up more, with 45 sacks. With a terrible offensive line, Andrew Luck has been sacked an NFL-high 35 times, which lead to his concussion. Luck was sacked twice and hit 8 times by the Tennessee Titans. He suffered the concussion when Titans defensive tackle Austin Johnson got on top of him after sacking Luck in the 4th quarter.
With a porous line protecting Andrew, Richardson and Williams should be able to get QB hits and force him to throw the ball faster than he wants to. With Wilkerson and McLendon dealing with injuries, Sheldon and Leonard will have to step up and break through the line to get to Luck.
