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Not only was Gregg Williams' final play call shockingly bad, it was a statistical anomaly
After the initial shock of Derek Carr's game-winning touchdown pass to Henry Ruggs wore off, many on social media began to wonder if they had just witnessed the New York Jets intentionally keeping their Tank for Trevor Lawrence plan alive. Gregg Williams calling an all-out blitz (engage eight for my fellow Madden kids out there) in that situation was not only shockingly dumb, it was a statistical anomaly. Here's another look beacuse why the hell not:
As ESPN Stats & Info pointed out after the game, that exact situation—less than 15 seconds in the game, defense down 4-8 points, 40-plus yards between the offense and the end zone—had occurred 252 times over the last 15 NFL seasons. That's what we'd call a "large sample size."
Not once, also known as ZERO times, had a team ever sent six or more rushers in that situation. It's the ultimate prevent defense situation. Send three lineman, drop eight guys and just knock the ball down. And Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams sent the damn house and had one guy covering a dude who runs a 4.27 40. It was unheard of:
It's so unfathomable that people are right to wonder if it was done on purpose. But, let's be honest, what the hell does Gregg Williams care about a tank? He, nor Adam Gase nor anyone else on the Jets' sorry-ass coaching staff, is going to be around in 2021. Williams is a notorious a-hole who tried to flex his muscle and send everybody to end the game. Instead, one of his corners got burnt to a crisp like a piece of toast ordered by Jim Nantz. For that, Jets fans should thank him, because had it worked out, they've be in danger of losing out on the No. 1 pick. The tank is alive thanks to Williams being such a hardo.