Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty sees flaw in Jets defenders who ‘don’t want to tackle’

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty sees a potential weakness in the New York Jets defense that could help jump-start the run game on Sunday.

He’s not sure everyone on the Jets is willing to put their body on the line to stop the run.

“Couple of guys out there that don’t really want to tackle, but I’m not going to say names,” Jeanty said after Wednesday’s practice at the team facility in Henderson.

The comment blew up on social media Wednesday night and will undoubtedly reach the Jets locker room ahead of Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“I did see those comments,” Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker told reporters Thursday. “I got plenty of confidence in our guys.

“I’m sure (the defensive players) are aware. Those guys, they know what’s going on.”

Jeanty and the Raiders have struggled to produce much of anything on the ground this year.

They have the third-fewest total yards rushing and are second-worst in the league at 3 yards per carry.

The Jets are 24th in the league against the run on defense, a weakness Jeanty believes the Raiders can exploit.

“I think we can definitely get the run game going,” he said. “Get back on track and just really get after these guys.”

It’s been a constant struggle for the Raiders this season. After surpassing 100 yards as a team in two of the first three games, they have averaged just 55.8 yards during a four-game losing streak.

“It’s a team thing,” coach Klint Kubiak said. “We can all do things better, running backs, fullbacks, offensive line. It’s a team thing. We’re definitely focusing on different things with each player, but we can all improve.”

Jeanty said for him that means trusting more in himself and his abilities and being more decisive in his runs.

“You just continue to look at what you need to do better,” he said. “Yes, of course, when you love the game and you’re passionate about the game and it’s not going your way, you’re going to get a little bit frustrated because you care. But what you do with that is figure out how you can get better and go attack it.”

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