Chris Ivory running over and by opposing tacklers
New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) runs the football against the Washington Redskins during the first half of an NFL football game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Chris Ivory is far more than he appears.
He's a violent runner and a physical force. But the Jets' "bell cow" is not just a one-dimensional running back, say his teammates.
"Every guy, you want to put them in a specific group of running back and he seems like the physical bruiser when you first meet him. That is his style," Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. "But he's kind of got both. He does have the speed as well."
For the third time this season, Ivory was named a finalist for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week award for his performance against the Redskins (2-4). He rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries (7.3 average) in the Jets' 34-20 win over the Redskins. Ivory won the award in Week 4.
He showcased his repertoire against the Redskins, breaking off a 54-yard run early in the second quarter and catching three passes for 50 yards. Ivory's 196 total yards from scrimmage was a career high.
"Obviously Chris has been pretty special, in terms of finding the holes, being patient and running hard when he sees it," Fitzpatrick. "We keep talking about it and you kind of run out of words to describe all the things that he does and he brings to our offense. But again, the thing that surprises me each week is just the speed when he sees the hole. He's such a physical runner, but he's also able to outrun guys, beat them to the edge, get down the sideline and we saw it again a couple times on Sunday."
The Jets are 4-1 heading into Sunday's showdown with the New England Patriots (5-0) and Ivory is a big reason why. Todd Bowles' team has the top rushing attack in the NFL, averaging 146 yards.
The running game starts with the guys up front, Fitzpatrick said, "just the way that they work together as a unit." But after that, it's all Ivory.
"I mean, he's a great back," right tackle Breno Giacomini said. "It's fun to watch him play and block for him. He's definitely coming on a lot stronger than he was last year."
Notes & quotes: Practice-squadder Kenbrell Thompkins was signed to the active roster. The former Patriots wide receiver will replace receiver Quincy Enunwa, who on Monday was suspended for four games for his 2014 domestic violence arrest.
