Jets at Washington: Special Teams Review

We've been breaking down this week's game against Washington. We wrap up today's analysis with a look at the special teams.

Let's review the key contributions...

Return game - Butter Vyn-gers!

After an excellent start to the game, the Jets handed Washington a route back into the game with two quickfire turnovers. After Sam Darnold's interception, the Jets held Washington to a field goal but, on the ensuing kick-off, Vyncint Smith's fumble gave the home team another immediate chance to score.

The only other kick-off return on the day was by Braxton Berrios who took a short kick out past the 25. Berrios had a productive day on punt returns though, with returns of 16, 12 and 15 yards to boost his average on the year from less than 7.5 yards per return to almost nine.

In terms of blocking this week, Ryan Griffin allowed his man to get off his block and in on a tackle and a debuting Kyron Brown did well to avoid getting a block in the back penalty.

As a group, the Jets showed how well-coached they are on the onside kick, resisting the temptation to risk making contact with the ball on a kick that fell just short of the requisite 10 yards.

Kicking game - What a Harv-wit

On the first possession of the second half, the Jets gifted Washington another possession when Harvey Langi clattered into Tress Way to draw a roughing the kicker penalty. Washington could have cut it to a 10-point lead with a touchdown, but the drive ultimately stalled at the Jets' 30.

That wasn't the only time Washington got within field goal range and came up empty, because their kicker Dustin Hopkins hit the upright with a chip shot field goal. The Jets didn't get any pressure on that kick.

The Jets did give up some pressure on their own placekicking unit as Jonotthan Harrison allowed pressure on Sam Ficken's missed extra point and was also called for holding to force a successful extra point to be retaken from 10 yards further away, although Ficken made it on the longer re-kick. Harrison plays as a tight end on that unit. There was no pressure on Ficken's missed 49-yarder later on, though.

Ficken ended up 4-for-5 on extra points and 0-for-1 on field goals, but he had one other successful field goal attempt negated because of a roughing the kicker penalty as Griffin allowed the pressure off the edge.

Punter Lachlan Edwards had an underwhelming game. He put two kicks inside the 20 but only at about the 15 in each case. He also had a short punt to midfield from his own end zone and a touchback on a kick from the Washington 43-yard line.

Kick coverage - Bello! You Fool! I love you!

The recently re-signed linebacker BJ Bello was a standout in kick coverage this week, as he was credited with two special teams tackles and was in on at least one other. He did have one missed tackle too, though.

Brian Poole had a good tackle in space on a punt return and Maurice Canady made a really good play to blow up a punt from the gunner position. Ty Montgomery also contributed a forced fumble, on a play where Jordan Jenkins overpursued and Ficken, Frankie Luvu and Daniel Brown all missed tackles.

Smith, Ficken, Brown and Luvu were also credited with special teams tackles and Langi and Brown also each drew a holding penalty.

That's it for today's analysis. Don't forget to leave your suggestions for which players to look at in more detail in this week's 3-on-D and 3-on-O.