Special Teams Review: Jets-Dolphins

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

Let's review the key contributions...

Kicking game - Penalty kicks

One feature of the kicking game this week was penalties. The Jets had a running into the kicker penalty on Irvin Charles and two dead ball fouls on CJ Mosley and Micheal Clemons after an extra point. Clemons was ejected for accidentally making contact with an official, while Mosley was penalized for reacting to actions that probably should themselves have been flagged by Christian Wilkins. Charles was arguably lucky not to be called for roughing.

It wasn't a very busy day for kicker Greg Zuerlein, who missed one of two extra points and had one touchback on two kickoffs. His other kickoff was returned past the 30 but there was a penalty.

Punter Thomas Morstead failed badly on an attempted onside kick. His punts were deep but gave Braxton Berrios plenty of room to rack up some return yards. He ended up with a net of just over 45 yards.

As usual, Brandin Echols tried to block a few Dolphins kicks coming off the edge and applied some pressure.

Kick coverage - Charles in Charge

Charles had an active game and was credited with two tackles, including one after Berrios muffed a punt. He also forced the only fair catch of the day but had one missed tackle.

The Jets once again employed Jarrick Bernard-Converse as the other punt gunner with Echols focused on his starting role as the slot cornerback. Bernard-Converse got downfield well a few times and was credited with a tackle.

Ashtyn Davis had a good day as he was credited with two special teams tackles and drew a holding penalty. Jeremy Ruckert also drew a hold.

Chazz Surratt was also credited with a tackle but Nick Bawden had a missed tackle.

Return game - Gip to be Square

Once again, Xavier Gipson's return game impact was negligible. The Dolphins had touchbacks on five of their six kickoffs and only punted once.

Gipson returned one kickoff 28 yards as Charles blocked his man to the ground and Surratt also blocked his man well.

On the only punt, he let the ball bounce and it deflected off a Miami player, at which point Gipson knew he could try and field the ball and advance it past that point with no risk of losing possession or yardage, because the Jets can, by rule, opt to retain possession where the ball was touched. However, he chased after the ball to try and field it and was unable to.

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