Throughout 2025, the defensive tackle position has been a point of contention for the Jets. During this past offseason, the Jets didn’t do much at all depth-wise at this position. The only notable free agent they signed at the position was former Chief Derrick Nnadi. They didn’t even make any defensive tackle selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. Up until August, the only capable defensive tackle on the roster was former All-Pro Quinnen Williams. That finally changed in late August. In the lead-up to roster cuts, Darren Mougey made two trades for defensive tackles. The first was with the Browns for second-year man Jowon Briggs. After that, they made a trade with the Vikings for veteran Harrison Phillips. Both of these players made the initial 53-man roster. Meanwhile, Derrick Nnadi was traded back to the Chiefs.
Jets Defensive Tackle Duo Will be Key Against the Falcons
These moves ended up paying off big time for the Jets. Firstly, Jowon Briggs has been a home run as a pass rusher. He’s currently 3rd on the team in pressures (23) and T-2nd on the team in sacks (3). This is excellent production for a guy the Browns had stashed deep on their coveted defensive line. Phillips has been great as well, but as a run defender. He’s currently the highest graded defensive linemen in run defense on the team, with a 74.8, according to PFF. He has 17 defensive stops and has only missed 1 of his 18 tackles. With Quinnen Williams gone, these are the guys now. These two Jets standouts need to play a big role on Sunday to win against the Falcons.
How Briggs’ Pass Rush Could Factor In for the Jets Against the Falcons
Both Briggs’ pass-rushing prowess and Phillips’ stout run defense will be crucial if the Jets want to beat the Falcons. Starting with Briggs, this Falcons interior offensive line is very good, but there are some kinks in the armor. Let’s start with the praise. Starting left guard Matthew Bergeron and starting center Ryan Neuzil are undoubtedly two of the NFL’s best at pass blocking. Bergeron ranks 41st in pressures allowed by guards with at least 416 pass blocking snaps. He has only allowed 1 sack as well. As for Neuzil, he’s 25th in pressures allowed by centers with at least 388 pass blocking snaps. He has pitched a shutout this year in the sack department. This duo has been especially dominant in games the Falcons have won this year, accounting for 7 total pressures and only 1 sack.
As for that kink in the armor, it’s actually 3x Pro Bowler and 3x Second-Team All-Pro guard Chris Lindstrom. He’s not a bad football player by any means; he’s actually pitching a shutout this year just like Ryan Neuzil. However, there is an opportunity to change that. Lindstrom has allowed the 3rd most pressures by guards with at least 416 pass blocking snaps, with a whopping 28. Aaron Glenn knows how capable Briggs is at rushing the passer, so it’s definitely in the gameplan to give him opportunities to make plays.
Aaron Glenn on Jowon Briggs:
"A really good move by our scouting department to bring somebody like that in. His ability to rush the pass also. We want to be able to utilize that. I'm not saying he's Mean Joe Greene, but he's been doing a real good job of being disruptive" pic.twitter.com/AKN2UZ1gKH
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 26, 2025
The Jets Will Need Phillips’ Run Defense
The reason why the Jets’ run defense is so important against the Falcons should be a no-brainer. The Falcons have one of the best running backs in the NFL in Bijan Robinson. Robinson is currently 8th in the league in rushing yards with 853. When he has a great game on the ground, a Falcons victory often follows suit. Robinson has three 100 rushing yard performances this season. Two of those performances resulted in wins (Week 2 vs MIN, Week 6 vs BUF). The third was in Week 11, a game in which the Falcons lost in overtime to the Panthers. This means the Falcons are 2-1 when Robinson has 100 yards on the ground and 2-6 when he doesn’t. He had at least 70 rushing yards in those other two wins as well, so he’s always a factor. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that the Jets run defense, spearheaded by Harrison Phillips, keeps him in check on Sunday.
Main Photo: [Peter Casey] – Imagn Images
