Special teams review: Bills at Jets
Special teams didn't make a major difference in the game, aside from the one play where the Bills ran a fake punt and CHARONE PEAKE gave up a first down in coverage. Otherwise, it was a mixed bag...
Let's review the key contributions...
Kicking Game - Lach and Load
Punter LACHLAN EDWARDS didn't have a very good day as his first five punts were returned for a total of 59 yards and his last two were shanked for 30 and 26 yards respectively. Edwards ended up with a disappointing net average of 36 yards per punt.
Kicker JASON MYERS didn't get on the field much, as he kicked a touchback on the opening kickoff and then didn't kick again until his 55-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. He didn't have much to do in the second half, either. He made an extra point but then his ensuring kickoff was returned out to the 35.
NEVILLE HEWITT came close to blocking a Bills punt on two occasions.
Kick Coverage - Off to Neville Neville land
In kick coverage, the Jets allowed punt returns of 8, 17, 11 and 21 yards and a kickoff return of 33 yards.
The best coverage play of the day came from KEVIN PIERRE-LOUIS, who blew up a punt return immediately in the third quarter. However, it was Hewitt who was once again the most productive, as he was the only player with multiple tackles on special teams.
On one of the other returns, Peake and RONTEZ MILES got blocked off and TRENTON CANNON overpursued on another. TERRENCE BROOKS and BUSTER SKRINE saved a much bigger return by making the tackle on those plays.
Return game - Eric/Andre
Return man ANDRE ROBERTS had a productive day on kickoffs, racking up 132 yards on five attempts. Roberts is now leading the league in total return yards and punt return average. He's just four yards behind Jakeem Grant for the lead in total kickoff return yardage too.
Roberts also did a good job on his only punt return of the game, skipping out of three tackles to make 15 yards:
ERIC TOMLINSON gave the return game a boost this week by fielding a squib kick and returning it to the 35 and also with a good block to spring one of Roberts' returns.