QuickFix: Reviewing the rotations against the Falcons

Let's start today's analysis with a quick review of the rotations on offense and defense in yesterday's game.

Skrine Cover

With Buster Skrine out, the Jets were expected to use subpackages with three or four safeties, but actually they hardly ever did. The Jets used their "Miles/Davis" package on just four plays, including just one (on 3rd-and-25) in the second half.

Instead, their approach was to lean on their starting safeties. They played plenty of base and used new addition Robert Nelson in the nickel package.

After Morris Claiborne was injured, they simply replaced him with Juston Burris and kept to the same plan. Burris wasn't in the rotation prior to that.

More injuries

Aside from the Claiborne injury, the Jets also lost Brent Qvale and Ed Stinson during this game. Ben Ijalana took over from Qvale in the fourth quarter. Some felt this might have been a benching, but apparently it wasn't.

The Stinson injury didn't have much of an effect because he and Mike Pennel didn't play much anyway.

By contrast, Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams - who have both been dealing with injuries - must both be feeling better because they both played their highest percentage of defensive snaps since mid-September, even though the team plays again on Thursday night. That may have been partly due to Stinson being out, though, although Lawrence Thomas could have filled his role in theory.

Sidelining the rookies

Rookie receiver ArDarius Stewart was inactive this week, which is a disappointing sign that he doesn't seem to be making much progress. However, it seemed to be a good opportunity for Chad Hansen to get some reps. Hansen played just eight snaps, though, and again was not targeted.

Fellow rookie Elijah McGuire played just three snaps at running back. Since his big game against the Jaguars, McGuire has only rushed for 51 yards on 25 carries and caught two passes for 10 yards. In fact, he hasn't been targeted in any of the last three games either.

Perhaps the Jets didn't use their reserves that much yesterday so that they have some fresh bodies to lean on more on Thursday night. That could be a good way to use McGuire.

PREVIOUSLY: Buster'd Coverages