Dud: Special teams

There’s not a single special teams player who is going to escape the wrath of the coaching staff. They were absolutely dreadful in literally everything they did and in just about every way.

The kickoff return units allowed an average of 25.57 yards per return. That allowed New York to regularly start drives off beyond the 30-yard line. In fact, only one kickoff return failed to be held behind the Jets’ 26-yard line. The punt coverage unit wasn’t really any better, giving up several big returns and averaging 16 yards-per-return throughout the game.

Kicker Justin Tucker had a rare miss on an extra point while Sam Kock had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown. Add in some penalties on special teams helping New York out further and you have a unit that couldn’t get anything right in this game.

While it ultimately didn’t decide the game, even one of those things happening would be enough to lose a close game. Giving teams short fields and actual points off special teams in the postseason is the quickest way to the Ravens being on their couch in late January. I’d hate to be in that meeting room whenever they review the film.