Special Teams Review: Jets-Patriots

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

Let's review the key contributions...

Return game - Driven Beckwards

After Sunday's game, it was obvious the Patriots were aware of the Jets' return threat and did a solid job of keeping them in check. They kicked two touchbacks and often kicked over near the sideline to limit the return man's room.

In London, Nick Folk made the point that kickers can afford to risk putting a kick out of bounds, since a penalty out to the 40 is only five yards worse than a turnover anyway.

Kene Nwangwu had one decent return out to the 38, behind a good Mykal Walker block. His other two were less effective, as on each of them Andrew Beck was literally driven 10 yards off his spot to bottle it up. Isaiah Davis and Walker were also driven back to allow their men to make the play on those.

Isaiah Williams returned the opening kickoff, but was stopped short of the 30 as Davis again missed his block.

On punts, Williams had a 19-yard runback as Ja'Sir Taylor did an excellent job on the gunner. His other two were blown up for a loss as Dean Clark failed to pick up the gunner in the middle of the field and negated by a Clark hold. That wasted a good Isaiah Oliver block and good work from Qwan'tez Stiggers as the vice.

Kicking game - Nick-rolling

Folk remains perfect on the season after nailing two extra points despite unblocked pressure off the edge. However, he got the night off from kicking off once again.

Austin McNamara had one of his less impressive games so far although the Patriots didn't have any punt return yardage. One of his five punts was a touchback, albeit on an unlucky bounce. The rest were fair caught but none were more than 45 yards downfield and one was his worst shank of the season to end up as a 33-yarder, continuing the long-established pattern of Jets punters doing really well until they inexplicably shank a punt in New England.

On kickoffs, McNamara didn't get any of them inside the five but they were all close to the sideline and the Jets were able to prevent any of them from getting to the 35.

On Patriots kicks, the Jets were using Taylor as the primary edge pressure. They obviously missed a field goal right before halftime.

Kick coverage - Do you know what I Dean?

As noted, the Patriots had zero return yards on punts. Stiggers (twice), Nwangwu and Arian Smith all forced fair catches. Smith was also the first man down on the touchback but couldn't get to it to prevent it bouncing into the end zone.

On kickoffs, three different players were credited with making the stop; Clark, Kobe King and Walker. The Walker tackle came after King and Davis were blocked out of the play and Kiko Mauigoa got pancaked.

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