Special Teams Review: Jets-Browns

We've been breaking down this week's game against the Browns. We conclude today's postgame analysis with a look at the special teams.

Let's review the key contributions...

Kicking game - Can't take much Mor of this

Last week's hero, Greg Zuerlein, had an important field goal blocked as the Jets looked to pull within 14 on their opening drive of the second half. On the play, Xavier Newman allowed Shelby Harris to shove him down and get his hands up. That came after a delay of game moved it back but it was still only a 31-yarder.

Zuerlein made two field goals and two extra points and had a touchback on all four of his kickoffs. There was also heavy pressure on one of the made field goals as the Browns overloaded one edge and snuck a rusher in-between Billy Turner and Kenny Yeboah, each of whom had somebody to block.

Punter Thomas Morstead punted five times, twice forcing fair catches inside the 10. He also almost landed "one on the green", but it ended up being a touchback by a matter of inches. He had one other good punt that was fair caught but also one poor one that was out of bounds outside the 20.

Cleveland missed one extra point but the Jets did not generate any pressure on that kick.

Kick coverage - Empty handed

The Jets didn't have a single special teams tackle this week as none of their kickoffs or punts were returned.

Gunner Irv Charles slipped and got back to his feet again on his way downfield on the play where the ball ended up trickling into the end zone for a touchback, so that made all the difference. He was millimeters away from downing that inside the one. Charles did force a couple of fair catches though and Justin Hardee also forced one.

Return game - Izzy Abutterfingers

Xavier Gipson had one of his best games since the opener this week, as he averaged over 27 yards on three kickoff returns and had punt returns of 10 and 20 yards.

That came after the Jets made the decision to put Israel Abanikanda in the kickoff return role and he immediately ran into traffic on his first touch and lost a fumble with Yeboah badly messing up his block. Gipson immediately replaced him after that.

On Gipson's first return after being put back into that role, he got out near the 40. Charles, Yeboah, Hardee, Jamien Sherwood and Sam Eguavoen all blocked well on that one. On another return, Eguavoen and Will McDonald made good blocks.

Gipson's first punt return was his first 20-yarder since his touchdown in the season opener. He broke a tackle on the play after Hardee's man got past him, and then Jarrick Bernard-Converse made a good block in space.

Bernard-Converse also got beaten by his man on a punt that ultimately went out of bounds and Gipson's other return went for just 10 as he looked to have plenty of room but then got forced to go out of bounds.

We'll be back with the 3-on-D and 3-on-O over the next few days...