Special Teams Review: Jets-Patriots

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

Let's review the key contributions...

Kicking game - Best Chase Scenario

The Jets released Sam Ficken on Saturday, so Chase McLaughlin got his first chance to kick for the Jets on Sunday. McLaughlin made his only two attempts - both extra points - and kicked off three times.

Two of his kickoffs were returned from the end zone and stopped short. His other, from halfway due to a defensive penalty on the first Jets' touchdown, saw him lay the ball up short with the return out past the 25. On that one, the return man perhaps should have let it go because it looked like it might go out of bounds.

Apparently, there's still a chance they could bring Ficken back, but McLaughlin is already under contract for next year.

Punter Braden Mann had another typical performance in what's been an underwhelming rookie year from him. Again, with a couple of chances to pin the Patriots deep he landed the ball at about the 10 instead of near the goal line. He had one 26-yard punt and one from midfield that was returned to the 35.

Mann had one good punt; over 50 yards and with a short return drawing a penalty on the return team. However, these rare good punts are nothing more than flashes of potential right now, because they're currently outliers.

The Jets did generate some good pressure on the Patriots' kicking units. Noah Dawkins had a pressure on a punt and Frankie Luvu also got close. On extra points, Arthur Maulet got close flying in off the edge three different times.

Kick coverage - Noah? She's having my baby!

Dawkins also had one of the best plays on the coverage units as he blew up a kickoff return with a nice hit at the 15-yard line. In all, the Jets had eight players with one special teams tackle each, but nobody with multiple stops. JT Hassell and Tarell Basham both made nice stops and Ryan Griffin made an open field tackle to prevent a long return.

New England's kickoff return unit didn't have much success, but they did average 12 yards on three punt returns. Luvu (twice), Corey Ballentine and Brady Sheldon all had missed tackles and Daniel Brown was blocked to the ground.

Vyncint Smith got downfield well to force a penalty on Mann's best punt of the day. Jeff Smith also got downfield well on one play.

Return game - Lead Balloontime

Ballentine has been the Jets' most successful return man this season but he didn't have much success on his two kickoff returns, averaging 21 yards. His first one saw him elude an unblocked tackler and his other saw him weaving out past the 25 behind blocks by Luvu and Chris Herndon.

Vyncint Smith got his first change to return one for a while, but was stuffed near the 20 as Luvu missed his block this time.

On punt returns, Braxton Berrios took three fair catches and let three others bounce - two of which rolled into the end zone for a touchback. Once again, the vices - including Bryce Hall, Maulet and Jeff Smith didn't fare very well against New England excellent gunners.

Ultimately, the Jets weren't even really trying to set up a return on half of these as they left most of their defensive personnel on the field.

That wraps up today's analysis from the game, but we'll be back with more over the next few days...