Jets defense quietly aware of Ashton Jeantys tackling comments

On Wednesday, Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty called out the Jets’ unwillingness to tackle.A day later, Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker revealed he heard Jeanty’s words and had a response.“I got plenty of confidence in our guys,” Duker said with a grin on his face.Duker was asked two follow-up questions about whether that is something he would bring to his players’ attention.“I’m sure they’re aware,” he said.Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was asked if he heard the comments, and like his coach, he kept his answers short and sweet.Fitzpatrick said he had no response and wasn’t surprised that a second-year player would make comments like this.“Whenever our name is brought up, whether it be by an opponent or a past opponent, it catches our eye,” Fitzpatrick said.

“The way I operate, I go out there and play 110% effort.No matter who I’m playing up against, no matter what they said.”Fitzpatrick added that “at the end of the day, certain things can add more fuel to the fire, but at the end of the day, I gotta go out there and do my job.” He believes the Jets are thinking the same way.The Raiders began the season with an eye-opening 3-0 start but have since lost four in a row.

Las Vegas is facing a make-or-break game that will dictate how it operates with the NFL trade deadline less than two weeks away.Two of the Raiders’ losses were decided by field goals to the Chiefs and Bills — both Super Bowl contenders.Jeanty has played in seven games this year and is Las Vegas’ leading running back, rushing for 328 yards with three touchdowns.He’s also been effective in the passing game as the Raiders’ third-leading receiver with 34 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown.The Jets’ run defense ranks 24th in the league, giving up an average of 127.7 yards per game.

Last week, when the Dolphins picked up their first victory this season, Miami rushed for 156 yards and was led by Ollie Gordon (103 yards)....