When perusing ProFootballFocus.com's stats on running backs, I discovered some interesting numbers for the Jets' backfield, and they shouldn't make Chris Johnson owners very happy.
Through the first three games of the season, Chris Ivory leads the league in Yards After Contact, per rushing attempt, at 3.9 yards. That goes a long way in explaining how Ivory ranks among the league leaders in yards per carry overall, at 5.7. Unfortunately, it also makes it hard to forgive Johnson's poor performance this far, as he is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry overall.
Johnson and Ivory have seen a nearly identical workload through three games, but Ivory has looked like the more competent back. Johnson is averaging nearly half as many yards after contact as Ivory, at just 2.1 -- this despite running behind the same line.
Head coach Rex Ryan suggested after Week 3 that Ivory is likely to cut into Johnson's playing time moving forward, noting, "There's not a whole lot of guys who want to tackle him." The duo has split playing time nearly evenly so far, but Ivory looks like the better bet moving forward.
The Jets face a tough run defense in Week 4 with the Lions coming into town, so you might not want to rely on either one this Sunday. Moving forward, however, Ivory looks like the guy to own here.