One stat that proves A.J. Green dominated Darrelle Revis on Sunday
Revis Island? Maybe not so much anymore. Darrelle Revis is still one of the top cornerbacks in football, but his 2016 season got off to a rough start – and that’s putting it mildly.
Against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the New York Jets cornerback was burned by A.J. Green and every other Cincinnati Bengals receiver who came into his territory – something we’re not used to seeing from the seven-time Pro Bowler.
Exhibit A:
Deeeeeeeeeeep TD to @AJGreen_18.
— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2016
... And he beat @revis24 to do it. #CINvsNYJ https://t.co/na8NaZKrn5
Sure, on that play Revis was likely expecting safety help in the middle of the field, which he obviously didn’t get. But he still looked noticeably slow, even though he’s never been the fastest or most athletic cornerback.
Exhibit B:
.@Revis24 is all over @AJGreen_18...
— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2016
But it really didn't matter.
WHAT. A. GRAB. #CINvsNYJ https://t.co/WM50YFG9KP
It wasn’t just that one long reception that did Revis in. He was targeted 10 times and didn’t force a single incompletion. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton was a perfect 10-for-10 when visiting Revis Island, posting a perfect passer rating on those throws to Green.
Green finished the game with 12 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown in what was one of the best outings of his career.
Perhaps this wouldn’t be so widely discussed if the Jets had just held on to the lead late in the game, or if Ryan Fitzpatrick had driven them down the field for a game-winning field goal. Still, this wasn’t a good outing by Revis, and even he admits it.
“It probably wasn’t one of my better games,” Revis said after the game.
Revis is supposed to be the Jets’ best defender, and he probably still is. After all, it’s just one game, but the concerning thing is that it could be a glimpse of things to come this season. He’s 31 years old and no longer the player he was in his first stint with the Jets, and the coaching staff may need to adjust to a new reality.
It was clear Revis couldn’t be left “on an island,” so to speak, against one of the game’s best receivers. The Jets have had the luxury of not needing to roll safety help his way, but that might be necessary now that he’s lost a step and can’t unequivocally hang with the top wideouts.
