The Los Angeles Rams are the opponent on Sunday at MetLife Stadium and the Jets' defensive backfield, which is dealing with a raft of injuries, will be faced with a formidable corps of wide receivers and their aggressive quarterback in Matthew Stafford.
Cornerback D.J. Reed (groin) is expected to return to the lineup, but slot DB Michael Carter II continues to deal with a nagging back injury. And on Wednesday, the Jets placed safety Jalen Mills on injured reserve with a broken collarbone he sustained after coming down with an interception at Jacksonville.
One thing is certain for the Green & White, first-team All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner has seemed to put behind him a challenging start to the season with a pair of strong performances -- first against Seattle and then, after missing the Miami game with a hamstring injury, with a solid game in the win over Jacksonville. That includes an interception -- his first in 36 games dating to his rookie season vs. Buffalo on Nov. 6, 2022 -- that squelched the Jaguars' last-gasp drive.
"Us as a team can just handle adversity, me specifically, because this season has had highs and lows -- and there's been more lows -- I definitely have learned how to deal with adversity," Gardner said. He added: "You know, it's been some moments where the game came down to us and we weren't at our best when it was required. But I think the young guys, all of us had a great next-man up mentality."
Gardner sustained a hamstring injury in the game against the Seahawks (though he did contribute 2 PDs), then did not play in the Week 14 overtime loss at Miami. Against the Jaguars, he made 5 tackles, had 2 PDs and the interception that preserved the Jets' victory.
"These past two games have been the best two games of the season," interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said on Wednesday when asked about Gardner. "In my opinion, for him, I've just seen a rejuvenated spirit and focus. And he's ... it's the Sauce that we all love as far as the way he's been preparing. So, it's resulted in back-to-back games.
"He would probably tell you the same thing, one too many pass interferences, little too handsy, a little too grabby. So got to clean up our technique. Is it different than it's been? I don't know if I could say that."
The Rams' aerial attack features WRs Cooper Kupp (63 receptions) and Puka Nacua (805 receiving yards). In addition, Demarcus Robinson leads LA with 7 TD grabs and 15.5 yards per catch while Tutu Atwell has 513 yards on 36 catches.
"They all are so in sync on the same page," Gardner said. "I feel like Matt, he understands all their skill sets." He added: "They're definitely a tough team. And I mean it's proven based on the things that they've done this season."
Gardner led the Jets with 20 PDs in '22 and 12 PDs in '23. This season, his 8 PDs trail only Reed, who leads the team with 10. Those 4 PDs across his most recent 2 games played are his most since his rookie season, when he had 4 at Seattle. Before that, Gardner had a career high combined 6 PDs in back-to-back games -- (3 at Green Bay and 3 at Denver), also as a rookie in 2022.
"He's got the ultimate dream of being one of the best that's ever done it at the corner position," Ulbrich said. "And I think sometimes you get into this mode of, I gotta do something different for that to occur, you know? And I think it was all in an effort to be the best. It was nothing like trying to cut corners or anything like that, but just getting back to the process that got you where you're at today. And I think that he's found that and it's a powerful realization, and it'll be something that going forward in his career is going to be huge for him, just understanding like there's a process you've created, commit to that, and good things will happen. You don't have to make things up at all."
Gardner said it comes down to four simple words.
"Just do my job."
