Jets' Week 5 grades: Solid effort by offensive line key to win over Miami
OFFENSE: The offensive line deserves props for this performance. The Jets scored five rushing touchdowns and Zach Wilson was only sacked twice. Even more impressive was this was the first time this group played together as left tackle Duane Brown made his debut and Alijah Vera-Tucker moved from left tackle to right tackle. Rookie running back Breece Hall was terrific. He finished with 197 scrimmage yards, flashing his speed, hard running and his ability to break tackles. Wilson missed some open receivers, but he was efficient and didn’t turn the ball over. He was 14-for-21 for 210 yards and scored on a 5-yard run on third down when he saw his receivers were covered.
GRADE: A-
DEFENSE: The Jets set the tone on the very first play on defense and forced a safety. Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich ordered a corner blitz and Sauce Gardner leveled Teddy Bridgewater, who was called for intentional grounding in the end zone and knocked out of the game. The defense had some hiccups along the way, allowed 113 rushing yards and a touchdown to Raheem Mostert. On the TD drive, there were too many missed tackles. Beside that, it was a strong day for the 'D' against the Dolphins and third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson. The Jets had two takeaways, held Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to 70 receiving yards and forced a critical three-and-out after the offense failed to convert a fourth-and-1 with the score 19-17.
GRADE: A-
SPECIAL TEAMS: Braden Mann’s first two punts pinned the Dolphins back to the 8 and the 3. Kickoff returner Braxton Berrios nearly broke one. He had a 42-yard return in the first quarter after the safety that was set up by Mann’s first punt. Greg Zuerlein made his only field goal try (34 yards) and all five point-after kicks. The punt coverage team did its job. Ashtyn Davis and Brandon Echols downed the two points, not allowing them to bounce into the end zone and Echols and Justin Hardee tackled Hill for a 2-yard loss on one return
GRADE: A-
COACHING: The Jets were prepared for this game. They saw something on film that made Ulbrich call for the corner blitz and it worked. They saw something that led to Hall being wide-open and busting it for a 79-yard catch-and-run. OK, they didn’t know he would be that open but what they called worked. Going with an empty backfield and Wilson in the shotgun formation on fourth-and-1 when the run game was so effective was not a good call. It may have worked, but Wilson’s sideline throw to Corey Davis was off.
GRADE: A-
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
