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 – Nick or Treat?
Nick Folk‘s perfect start to the season in terms of placekicking continued as he made both of his field goal attempts, one of which was a 48-yarder he just about nursed inside the upright. The other was a chip shot to open the scoring. Yes, the Jets actually led this game!
Why does it feel inevitable that with Folk perfect as the Jets are 0-5, he’s going to get a chance to get them a win some time soon and that’s when his first letdown will come?
Of Folk’s five kickoffs, two were (really bad) onside kicks and two were touchbacks so only one was returned.
After a great start to the season, Austin McNamara was a little disappointing in this game. He boomed one 58-yarder and had one punt from inside Dallas territory that was fair-caught at the 10 but he also had two shorter punts from inside the Jets’ half. He’s not allowing any return yardage though, so his net was a healthy 42 yards.
For Dallas, Brandon Aubrey missed an extra point and kicked off out of bounds.
Return game – Avery shrewd signing
Both Avery Williams and Khalil Herbert got a chance to return kicks on their Jets debut having been with the team for less than a week.
In all, their success wasn’t all that good. Herbert’s lone return was a 22-yarder and Williams averaged 26.6 yards, which is acceptable but the only time he got past the 30 it was a holding penalty on Mark Robinson.
The blocking was inconsistent with Dean Clark allowing his man to make the stop twice and miss the tackle on another occasion on what may prove to be his last appearance of the season, as he’d need to be added to the 53 to be eligible to play again. Kiko Mauigoa, Andrew Beck and Cam Jones each also had a missed block.
On punts, Williams looked a lot more dangerous with a couple of missed tackles and the blocking was better. Robinson had a pancake on one return and Beck and Mykal Walker had good blocks on another, as Azareye’h Thomas sealed off the gunner well.
Williams had returns of 17, 15 and nine yards but one was blown up for no gain as both Thomas and Stiggers were beaten by each gunner on that one.
Kick coverage – Screwing up with the Joneses
On kickoff coverage, only one was returned but it almost popped for a big gain as Jones missed a tackle and Robinson had to drag down the return man from behind at the 35. Jones also missed a tackle on a punt return, while Robinson was blocked off but arguably could have drawn an illegal block in the back.
The gunners each made a couple of plays as Stiggers forced a couple of fair catches and drew a holding penalty. Arian Smith also forced a fair catch and was also in on a special teams stop, although Jones got the credit officially. The only punt return netted eight yards.
We’ll be back with the 3-on-D and 3-on-O over the next few days…