The Jets' starting defense between the first two preseason games has been on the field for 5 drives. Result: No points allowed and an interception by Andre Cisco, which was one of two picks in the 17-0 victory against Pittsburgh on Friday night.
In last week's loss to Tampa Bay at MetLife Stadium, the starting defense was on the field for 2 series, holding the Bucs to a three-and-out on the first series and then stopping them on a 5-play drive that yielded 17 yards.
"This is the second week in a row where I thought defense played fairly well," HC Aaron Glenn said. "They were stout."
See all of the best game photos from the Jets Week 2 preseason game against the Steelers.
Against the Steelers, after the Jets took a 7-0 lead as QB Geno Smith led an opening drive hitting on all 7 of his passes before finding TE Jelani Woods on a 13-yard TD pass, the Steelers' offense was stifled on 3 plays in 1:30. Pittsburgh picked up a first down on the first play of its second drive, but was forced to punt on the next series.
Pittsburgh's third series spanned the first and second quarters, as the Steelers picked up their lone first down of the quarter as they put together a 12-play drive and faced a third-and-4 at the Jets' 14-yard line. But QB Will Howard's pass intended for WR Roman Wilson was intercepted by Jets S Andre Cisco, who returned it 23 yards to the New York 31.
CB Samuel Womack III then picked off Howard again on the next drive.
"We want the floodgates to open as far as takeaways, and you know, great," veteran linebacker Demario Davissaid. "Cisco was able to get the first one for us this year, and Womack was able to get another one. But that's what we want. That's what we emphasize every day."
Another highlight of the defense's early play came via rookie edge David Bailey, the No. 2 selection in April's NFL Draft. Bailey had 1 tackle during his time on the field, but it was his first professional sack as he took down Howard for an 11-yard loss on third down to force a punt.
"He looks like the number two overall pick," Davis said. "That's the first to many, it's the first to many, man. You just see the way he comes in each and every day, just working the consistency that he's putting into his craft, not just in the live team drills, but every single thing that he does."
Davis added: "These games, they don't count, but they matter. It's a close thing, you're going to get to regular season games, and so you have to approach them like that. And so, anytime you come out and put into effect the things that you've been doing well in practice and pitch a shutout, that's a big deal."
