Special Teams Review: Jets-Browns

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

Let's review the key contributions...

Kicking game - Ace Austin

On a big day for the special teams, we shouldn't overlook punter Austin McNamara's contributions. He averaged just under 50 yards per punt with a net of 47, with three inside the 20, including one at the 10 and one at the five. The only return he allowed was a 15-yarder but that came on a 55-yard punt.

McNamara also kicked off all day on Sunday and did a great job on six kickoffs. One shorter kick when the rain got pretty heavy was fielded at the nine-yard line but the rest were inside the five.

He also had one that was a touchback at the 20 because it bounced in the landing zone (actually it didn't but the return man muffed it while standing in the landing zone, so that counts).

Although he got the day off from kicking off, Nick Folk was able to concentrate on his three extra points and two field goals as he remained perfect on the year and kept his long field goal streak and even longer 40-yards and less field goal streak going.

There was some pressure off Armand Membou's edge on a couple of Folk's kicks. For the Jets, Will McDonald had pressure on one field goal and Kobe King had a pressure on a punt.

Return game - Yes we Kene

The return game was huge this week with Kene Nwangwu scoring on a 99-yard kickoff return and Isaiah Williams doing the same on a 74-yard punt return, both of which were well blocked.

First, let's consider the Nwangwu return. On this one there were good blocks by Isaiah Davis, Isaiah Oliver and Mykal Walker in addition to an effective double-team from Stone Smartt and Andrew Beck. Qwan'tez Stiggers also made his block well, although it was close to potentially being a hold.

On the Williams touchdown, it was Stiggers, Oliver and Beck again with good blocks with Beck's really springing him into the open field. Also, Dean Clark did a terrific job of staying on the gunner in physical fashion. That same gunner also got called for holding on Ja'Sir Taylor as he dragged him out of the way further upfield.

Nwangwu had two other kickoff returns out to about the 30. Clark failed to sustain his block so his man stopped one of these but then the Browns had a personal foul on it anyway.

Williams had one unremarkable kickoff return but he had four other punt returns for 52 yards including one where he broke a tackle and then made a nice spin move in space. He also had a fake fair catch which led to the ball going into the end zone for a safety.

Taylor got work as a vice in his Jets debut and did a really good job of staying on the gunner on one play. On two others, he was half-beaten but his man overpursued.

Kick coverage - Qwa'lity not Qwan'tity

As noted, the Jets only allowed one punt return for 15 yards and their kickoff coverage was also excellent as the Browns never reached the 35 on six attempts.

The Jets had eight different players with one special teams tackle each, including King in his Jets debut, but nobody with more than one.

On punts, Stiggers forced two fair catches and downed a punt at the five. He also seemed to be held on one punt. Nwangwu also forced a fair catch.

The lone punt return saw Davis miss a tackle but Beck chased the return man down from behind.

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