Special Teams Review: Jets-Titans

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

Let's review the key contributions...

Return game - A Gip on his Shoulder

Xavier Gipson posted pretty decent numbers in this game (over 11 yards per punt return and 28 per kickoff return) but was still somewhat underwhelming. The Titans punter routinely outkicked his coverage, perhaps because they were confident they could keep Gipson in check.

Right before the Jets drove for the winning touchdown, Gipson made a play that sums up his struggles. He took a fair catch when there was nobody within 10 yards of him. Fortunately the Jets were able to drive 74 yards for the winning score anyway, but really that should have been more like 50-60 yards.

There was a few other occasions where he looked to have room but didn't make as much yardage as looked possible, too.

To be fair to Gipson, the blocking wasn't great. Ashtyn Davis failed to sustain one block and Sauce Gardner was beaten easily by the gunner on one punt where the Jets left their starting defense out there.

Perhaps his best play was when he fielded a deep kick and scooted up the sideline, but even on that play he ran out of room stepped out before he needed to.

Kicking game - King Charles

The Jets got a huge play this week from Irv Charles whose punt block set up a second half field goal. The Titans, who also had a punt blocked for a touchdown last season, somehow allowed Charles a clean route to the punter off an inside move even though the Jets only rushed four.

This probably could have been a touchdown too but the ball shot sideways and out of bounds after Charles got his hands on it. Still, this is an improvement on last year where he was about to block one and simply missed the ball.

Thomas Morstead did another excellent job as the punter, averaging over 50 yards gross and 44 net. He put two inside the 20 and his best punt of the day had a 59-yard net.

Kicker Greg Zuerlein made three extra points and a field goal this week, while also delivering three touchbacks on five kickoffs. One of the other ones was skipped just inside the 20 to induce a return.

Zuerlein's field goal came under heavy pressure as Jake Hanson allowed pressure and ended up on his back.

Kick coverage - Moving heaven and Irv

Charles didn't just have the punt block. He made two phenomenal plays on Morstead punts to blow up the return man as soon as he caught the ball. He's going to force some turnovers if he keeps doing that.

On another play, Charles had a missed tackle, but really he slowed the return man down so his teammates could rally to the ball. And on one of the rare plays he didn't make, it was arguably because he was illegally blocked in the back.

The Jets also got good production out of Jamien Sherwood and Chazz Surratt, who combined for five special teams tackles. The only other Jet to be credited with one was Jarrick Bernard-Converse.

With Brandin Echols starting on defense, Qwan'tez Stiggers was a primary gunner this week and gave a good account of himself by getting downfield to force a fair catch.

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