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Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne, part of a banged-up secondary, knows the challenges that this week, with Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen.
But Claiborne also knows what the Jets' pass defense has accomplished this year so far – 10 interceptions (tied for second-most in the NFL) and the league's sixth-lowest quarterback rating allowed.
So even with Thielen (the league 's leading receiver) and quarterback Kirk Cousins coming to MetLife Stadium on Sunday, this does not mean it' s coming to the Jets' secondary.
"I do not feel like it's a prove-it, because I feel like we know who we are," he told NJ Advance Media on Thursday. "We are not going to win in this league, we are not going to apologize for winning.
"I feel like this week, proving it to anybody, mostly it's to ourselves, that we can do what we know we can do, and it's just that simple."
Claiborne is one of just two healthy starters in the Jets' secondary, along with strong safety Jamal Adams. So Claiborne might have to spend a bunch of time defending Thielen, who ranks first in the NFL in catches (58) and yards (712). He has four touchdown catches. Cousins is 10th in the league in quarterback rating.
"I've just got to stay true to my technique," said Claiborne of Thielen. "I feel like no matter who I'm going up against, no matter what type of receiver it is, if I do what I'm supposed to do, I'll win the matchup."
But while the Jets (3-3) Marcus Maye (broken thumb) and likely absences of slot Buster Skrine (concussion) and No. 1 Trumaine Johnson (strained quad) could be an issue against Thielen.
"He's really putting up some numbers," Claiborne said. "I think you could consider the best receiver in the league, with just the numbers."
The Vikings line up Thielen all over the field. But Claiborne said what makes Thielen tough to cover, more so than his speed and versatility, is the precision with which he runs his routes.
"Just his ability to really sell his roads," Claiborne said. "His ability to read the coverages, know when he's running into the area of coverage." He knows how to get to where he can go.
"When he's running straight ahead, he's not that 4.4 type of speed guy [in the 40-yard dash], but just get in the way of making the world of difference. You could be the slowest guy in the world, but if you can get in and out of your breaks, it can mean a world of difference. "
Through six games, Claiborne is playing well this season. He has two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and nine defensive passes, compared to one pick and eight defeats last year.
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"I've just been working hard on knowing how they're trying to attack me," he said. "It's a copycat league, and when you give up something, they're going to try to see you if you've fixed it." I'm trying to learn from my mistakes and really trying to change my life. "
In particular, Claiborne said he has had his technical coverage and focused on "squeezing" his coverage when the Jets are in zone, so he is not playing too loosely within the coverage area. He knows how to deal with this issue.
Darryl Slater can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.
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