NFL Week 4 Preview: Jaguars at Jets

Each week, the PFF analysis team will bring you break downs of the most important matchups for each game of the NFL season.

Coverage by: Aaron Resnick

G Patrick Omameh vs. DI Leonard Williams – While Omameh's overall grade of 58.2 isn't spectacular, it's worth noting that his pass-blocking grade of 80.9 is 15th at the position. His pass-blocking efficiency is a sterling 99.2, with just one pressure allowed on 102 pass-blocking snaps. However it's Omameh's run-blocking grade of 40.4 that could lead to Williams' biggest impact for the Jets. In terms of run stop-percentage, Williams' mark of 8.3 ranks in the top ten among 3-4 defensive ends. As the Jaguars look to establish the run early and often the Omameh/Williams matchup will have a big say in those plans.
T Jermey Parnell vs. EDGE Kony Ealy – Like Omameh, Parnell has fared well in pass protection, but has struggled in run blocking. Parnell's pass-blocking grade of 76.1 ranks 20th among all tackles, but his grade of 37.8 in run blocking ranks 53rd. This week Parnell figures to see a lot of Ealy, who appears to be in the midst of a breakout season. Cut by the Patriots in training camp, Ealy's overall grade of 80.5 is on pace to be the best of his young career and he's getting it done both ways. While Ealy's eight total quarterback hurries might be expected of him, his grade of 82.0 against the run is 17th among all edge defenders. This figures to be an interesting test for both players to see if their performance in running situations continues.

RB Leonard Fournette vs. S Jamal Adams– Top six selections in the draft this past April, the former LSU teammates have made early impacts for their teams. Fournette's overall grade of 79.2 puts him seventh among running backs, while Adams' grade of 84.5 ranks 12th among safeties. What's notable is Adams has been very stout against the run, as his run-defense grade of 86.1 ranks third at the position. To this point, 129 of Fournette's 199 rushing yards have come after contact, so odds are he'll be seeing Adams frequently. This matchup should be fun as both figure to be key factors for their respective teams for years to come.

Coverage by: Cyrus Geller

WR Jermaine Kearse vs. CB Jalen Ramsey – Jermaine Kearse has had a very good first season with the Jets, as he currently ranks 12th out of 92 qualified receivers in wide receiver rating at 121.8. His overall grade thus far of 75.7 puts him tied for 31st out of 106 qualified receivers. However, he will be going up against Jalen Ramsey this week, and Ramsey has been one of, if not the best cover corner in the NFL this season. He is the top-graded cornerback out of 112 that qualified at 89.4, and he is giving up a minuscule 0.25 yards per coverage snap, which is second only to Patrick Peterson.

T Brandon Shell vs. EDGE Yannick Ngakoue – Brandon Shell has struggled mightily through three games for the Jets, as he ranks 49th out of 70 qualified offensive tackles with a pass-blocking efficiency rating of 92.6. His overall grade of 36.6 ranks 63rd out of 71 offensive tackles, and right now he owns the worst-overall grade on the Jets starting offense. He will go up against Ngakoue for some of this game, and that is no easy task. Ngakoue currently owns the fourth-highest pass-rushing grade among 102 qualified edge defenders at 87.8, and his pass-rushing productivity rating of 14.9 ranks sixth out of 57 qualified 4-3 defensive ends.
G James Carpenter vs. EDGE Calais Campbell – James Carpenter’s 48.9 overall grade puts him 44th out of 69 qualified offensive guards this year, and his pass-blocking efficiency of 97.7 ranks 20th out of 70. That pass-blocking rating is solid, but he will be going up against someone that has had arguably the best season of any edge defender thus far in 2017. Campbell has the fourth-highest overall grade of any edge defender at 90.0, the third-highest pass-rushing grade at 89.9, and the third-highest pass-rushing productivity rating at 17.4.