Special Teams Review: Jets-New England

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 - I will go down with this Gip

Xavier Gipson, who also had his first career touchdown catch, had the kind of day that encapsulates how frustrating he can be. He got off to a great start with a 40-yard punt return, but then later took a fair catch on a play where there was literally nobody within 20 yards of him.

On another play, Gipson, who let's not forget had two fumbles last week, took a big risk by fielding a deflected punt at full speed, but although that was only a 7-yard return, he might have saved the Jets 20-25 yards over letting it bounce and roll.

On the long return, debutant Jarius Monroe was beaten by the gunner but managed to resist a block in the back and then Gipson took advantage of good blocks from the likes of Brandin Echols, Chazz Surratt, Isaiah Davis and Eric Watts down the field. Echols also did a good job on the punt that Gipson fair-caught, and was clearly frustrated at him for not running it back, although the sun was shining in Gipson's direction so he may have lost sight of it and erred on the side of caution.

Gipson's only other punt return was a short return and Jarrick Bernard-Converse was called for holding. And every kickoff was a touchback.

Kicking game - Being taken down a Greg or two

Kicker Greg Zuerlein will be lucky to still be on the team for Thursday night's game, although Thomas Morstead didn't help him much by failing to get the laces turned on the first of his two missed kicks. Jeremy Ruckert also allowed some pressure on that one.

He's now essentially cost the Jets three games and - as bad as they've been - the Jets would be 5-3 right now if he'd kicked as consistently as he did last season.

Four of Zuerlein's five kickoffs were touchbacks. This is about the only thing he's done with any consistency and actually when he doesn't kick a touchback they usually pin other teams inside the 30 anyway, so this isn't necessarily beneficial.

Morstead punted four times but his numbers were bad because he gave up a long return and had one touchback. He did get one good punt off under pressure, as Brenden Schooler came in unblocked on Braelon Allen's wing.

Irv Charles made a good play to deflect a punt and Watts had a pressure on another one.

Kick coverage - Echs-n-Effect

The Jets had a disaster just after halftime when Marcus Jones - who beat them on a long punt return a few seasons ago - broke a 61-yarder to set up a touchdown. Charles got down there first but Jones eluded him and then got to the outside as Sam Eguavoen lost contain. Morstead then got pancaked and Allen and Echols missed tackles in the open field.

On another punt return, Echols blew it up with a nice hit, assisted by Charles. However, Charles was beaten by the bounce as he got down in good position to down a punt inside the five.

On New England's only kickoff return of the day, Davis got downfield well to blow it up near the 20-yard line.

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