Ulbrich Reveals Why Jets Defense Can Bounce Back vs. Titans

After an underwhelming 32-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the New York Jets have work to do.

It was bad enough to come up short to start the season. But allowing 147 rushing yards to Jordan Mason, playing in place of Christian McCaffrey, was enough to stoke fear in the fan base.

New York’s defensive line was far better than San Francisco’s offensive line on paper. On Monday, it simply didn’t matter, and that fell on a front seven that was out-played and out-muscled for virtually the entire game. The 49ers would score on eight consecutive possessions and make the Jets afterthoughts in the early-season Super Bowl conversation.

Head coach Robert Saleh was adamant after the game that New York had the players, coaches, and drive to make quick, necessary improvements . Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich shared a similar brand of confidence on Thursday.

“I’m extremely confident in the group we have,” Ulbrich said, via SNY . “Love every single guy we’ve got in that defensive line room. We’ve got a lot of pride and I anticipate them answering the call this week, I really do.”

It’s easy for the Jets to trust their track record. In back-to-back seasons, they’ve been an elite defense. Both campaigns boasted a run defense ranked in the top 10 for rushing success rate.

However, John Franklin-Myers, among other veterans, are no longer in the room. And despite the confidence New York’s undrafted free agents have garnered, the unit looked overexposed against the indomitable Kyle Shanahan offense.

There’s an argument to be had that the room is simply less talented than years past. But Ulbrich believes the intangible traits the room has carried into this season – a product of the Jets’ culture – will be enough to promote growth.

“Everybody wants to point the finger. Everybody wants to say it was him, or it was a coach, or it was a teammate, or it was whatever,” Ulbrich said . “I don’t feel that from our group at all , which is one of the things that I think makes us unique. We have a group that points the finger at themselves , myself included and every coach included. When you have that type of culture, that type of standard, that type of accountability – those things don’t get repeated.”

Related: Robert Saleh Demands Better Discipline From Jets' Defense

Against a much weaker Tennessee Titans offensive line, New York will have the chance to quiet those concerns and get the season back on track during Sunday’s contest.