Facing historically inaccurate quarterback Anthony Richardson might be just the medicine that a Jets defense with only two interceptions all season needs.
Then again, the bulldozing read-option runs that highlight Richardson’s strengths — and will be on display Sunday when the Colts visit MetLife Stadium — might be just the thing to break a Jets defense that must be growing weary of facing dual threats after allowing five rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks in the last five games, including two last week to Kyler Murray.
“You see him on film sometimes shrugging dudes off him,” 320-pound defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw said. “It’s like, ‘Damn.’ He doesn’t care [about contact]. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The 6-foot-4, 244-pound Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, is returning to the starting lineup after a two-game benching.
His 44.4 completion percentage through six starts is the NFL’s worst since draft bust Akili Smith’s 44.2 percent mark over 12 games in 2000, but Richardson is averaging 16.4 yards per completion.
“He can throw the ball really deep,” cornerback D.J. Reed said. “He throws it accurately deep, too. There is one in particular on film against the Texans that is as good a deep ball as it gets. We have to respect that, as well as his running ability.”
The Jets actually started the week with two separate defensive game plans: One for Richardson and one for backup Joe Flacco “because it feels like two separate offenses,” according to interim head coach and defensive play caller Jeff Ulbrich.
More specifically, he said, “The passing game is very similar,” but the Colts like to fall back on Richardson’s legs in critical situations.
“We have to have an eye for it,” Reed said, “because it’s something we’ve struggled with.”
Running directly at Jets defensive ends Haason Reddick (a pass rusher by trade) and Micheal Clemons (who has been vulnerable to being faked out of position) can be a successful strategy for opponents.
C.J. Stroud — the only quarterback not to rush for a touchdown against the Jets in the last five games — still scrambled for 59 yards, so there have been no breathers of late.
“This dude is legit 4.3[-second speed] and he’s big, too,” safety Chuck Clark said of Richardson. “You are downfield covering some fast guys on deep balls and then turn around to see him. You just have to go for the tackle.”
Tackling was the main emphasis for the Jets all week as they took the unusual step of practicing twice in pads after 20 misses against the Cardinals.
Richardson isn’t the type to just be knocked to the ground without a proper wrap-up, either.
Especially if he is trying to silence critics ready to write him off as the next draft bust.
“Heavy on the something-to-prove, but who doesn’t have something to prove?” Kinlaw said. “When you are playing a mobile guy, you have to push [the pocket] with vision. You have to use your extension. You can’t be buried in there because when you try to stand off and make a play on those guys, the offensive linemen just grab you.”
The Colts will have three rookie offensive linemen blocking for Richardson.
If the protection is shaky, Richardson is prone to off-the-mark short and intermediate throws, as he has thrown interceptions (seven) on a NFL-high 5.3 percent of his passes.
The Jets play the seventh-most man-to-man coverage in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
What the Jets aren’t doing is ignoring Richardson’s raw talent and treating him as a respite.
Josh Allen, Russell Wilson, Drake Maye, Stroud and Murray all have protected the ball during a five-game interception drought.
“It’s frustrating, but there really is no excuse,” Reed said, shouldering the responsibility for a team turnaround by criticizing himself for a missed interception opportunity that became a pass interference penalty last week.
“Man coverage comes with a risk because if you look back for the ball, you have to make sure you are in great position to make a play. Because if you are not, and you turn your back, you are giving the receiver a chance to push off.”
And the Jets — who might need to win out to stay in the playoff hunt — are not playing with any margin for error.
“Everybody develops at their own pace,” Clark said. “I’m sure [Richardson] has a chip on his shoulder, but that’s not something we can be thinking about. We expect his best.”