How Jets special teams gained 30 yards at a critical moment of the win over the Falcons

Special teams doesn’t always receive the respect it deserves. When a team wins or loses a tight game, most of the focus tends to go to key offensive and defensive plays. The game has a third phase, however. Sometimes special teams can play a big role in helping a team win or lose.

The Jets’ Week 13 win over the Falcons was an exception to an extent. People know how Qwan’tez Stiggers’ muffed punt recovery on the 2 yard line set up a touchdown or how Isaiah Williams’ 83 yard kickoff return set up a field goal.

Still, sometimes great special teams play can have a more subtle impact.

With 1:06 left in the fourth quarter on Sunday, the Jets were in trouble. A drive stalled out deep in their own territory. Austin McNamara was left to punt from his own 13. A bad kick and/or a good return could leave the Falcons on the cusp of field goal range if not in it.

McNamara unleashed a monster 55 yard punt. Just as importantly Stiggers, who was the right gunner, worked his way through a double team to tackle return man Jamal Agnew for a 1 yard gain.

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The Jets netted 54 yards on this punt. This was a critical field flipping punt. The Falcons still started with good field position at their own 33, but this at least forced them to do some work to get into field goal range. Their efforts failed in a quick three and out, and they were forced to punt.

In this case, Bradley Pinion was only able to get off a 40 yard punt. Isaiah Williams ran it back 16 yards.

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This wasn’t a spectacular return by Williams by any stretch of the imagination. It’s more that Williams did what he was supposed to do. Pinion unleashed a poor punt with a low hang time. Williams had daylight in front of him as a result and charged up the field to maximize the yardage he could get. He did make one person miss along the way. His return went for 16 on this 40 yard punt.

This sequence ended up being vital in the Jets’ victory. McNamara’s punt netted 54 yards. Pinion’s netted just 24. Jets special teams essentially netted the team 30 yards in this sequence with the game hanging in the balance.

A Jets offense that had struggled for the better part of the game thus only needed to drive 19 yards to get into Nick Folk’s range for the winning field goal.

Hidden yardage helps a team win games.

Now maybe that yardage will be a tad less hidden, and we can give Jets special teams some love for their role in delivering this last second win.