Darrelle Revis will have a full plate in Week 1 as the New York Jets take on the Cincinnati Bengals and A.J. Green.
The last time we saw Darrelle Revis in a regular season game he was getting torched in Week 17 going up against Sammy Watkins. It was a rough week for not only Revis but the New York Jets as well, as they got bounced from playoff contention.
It was very un-Revis-Island-like for him to allow 136 receiving yards to an opponent. We saw a bit of regression from him last year.
He’s still a number one corner and top tier in the league at his position. He is just not “2009 Revis’ anymore, and that’s okay because the Jets can certainly get by with 31-year-old Darrelle Revis.
In week one, he will be matched up against one of the best receivers in the league in A.J. Green. He’s had over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first five years and has developed into Andy Dalton’s favorite target.
Revis hasn’t gone up against A.J. Green while wearing green and white. Their only match up was in 2014 when Revis was with the New England Patriots. Green had five receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.
It’s safe to say that Green got the best of Revis in that match up. For the Jets’ sake, hopefully, Revis has a better game in Week One.
This time, at least A.J. is a bit banged up. His knee has been bothering him so far which already gives Revis a slight edge heading into the matchup.
The Bengals are a tough matchup overall. They’ve been a regular in the playoffs despite showing an inability to get over the hump of the first round but if the Jets are going to win, they are going to need their defense to step up.
With the Jets’ strength being up front, Dalton should be under pressure throughout most of the game, which should help the secondary.
Expect Dalton to have to force a ball into a tight window where a defensive back, perhaps Revis, will come away with an interception.
It should do Revis well getting right back on the horse with the matchup against Green. Green is clearly a formidable opponent and Revis will have to bring his A-game. He won’t want to get embarrassed again, so expect him to be motivated.
As the Jets have a difficult start to the season, they’ll need to be firing on all cylinders, which includes Revis. It might be harsh but the reality is that Revis can’t waste time easing into the season and neither can the Jets.
