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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Larry Brown Jr.

Sauce Gardner continues to stand on business in Jets’ 24-3 Patriots win

New York Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner intimidates opposing NFL quarterbacks by playing terrific man coverage. Gardner’s impact singlehandedly allows defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to blitz at will.



New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett only attempted 18 passes versus the Jets and he didn’t target the wide receiver covered by Gardner often. Brissett’s reluctance, a factor influenced by Gardner, helped lead to sacks by Will McDonald IV, safety Chuck Clark, and Quinnen Williams.

Wide receivers are hardly ever open when Gardner is in coverage and quarterbacks simply aren’t willing to take the risk of throwing in his vicinity.


When Gardner isn’t in coverage, he’s mixing it up, preventing first-downs by making physical open-field tackles, another facet of his defensive prowess.

For Gardner, it isn’t always about making the highlight reel, but about making it difficult for the opposing offense to move the ball, and more importantly, getting off the field on third-downs.

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