Jets want to avoid becoming a ‘footnote in history’ for Jay Ajayi

Pittsburgh Steelers v Miami Dolphins

Sunday’s matchup between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins will put the NFL’s top ranked run defense on the same field as the league’s hottest running back.

Jay Ajayi, who has 418 rushing yards in last two games, can become the first player in NFL history to rush for over 200 yards in three consecutive games if he can crack the milestone against New York on Sunday.

The Jets have no interest in that little piece of history.

“They found a little groove with him right now,” Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN. “I think we’ve got a game plan for him. We’re not going to be a footnote in history, and that’s how we approach it.”

The Jets are giving up just 74.0 rush yards a game in 2016. Only the Arizona Cardinals have rushed for more than 100 yards against New York this season.

The Dolphins still plan to attack the Jets on the ground on Sunday.

“They play the run really well and they put a lot of guys in the box,” Dolphins center Mike Pouncey said, via James Walker of ESPN. “But we’re not going to shy away from [the run]. We’re going to see how it goes in the game.”

Ajayi has averaged a little over 26 carries per game over the last two games. Overall, the Dolphins ran the ball 77 times in back-to-back wins over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills.

“It’s a good challenge for us,” Jets linebacker David Harris said. “They run the ball good. We stop the run good. We’ll see who breaks first.”

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