5 takeaways from NY Jets Week 12 win including Zach Wilson's difficult day
By Justin Fried
4. The NY Jets have found their OC of the future in Mike LaFleur
Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur called a phenomenal game on Sunday. Despite incompetent quarterback play for most of the game, LaFleur and the Jets managed to move the ball effectively at times.
Helped in part by an excellent showing from the offensive line (at least when it comes to run blocking) and the running backs, LaFleur and the Jets pounded the ball on the ground and worked around their struggling quarterback.
From the two-point conversion with Josh Johnson to the 4th-and-1 end around to Elijah Moore, LaFleur was in his bag on Sunday.
He's quickly made everyone forget about the premature early-season criticism. Mike LaFleur is the real deal.
5. The NY Jets have issues on special teams
Sunday's game wasn't a banner day for the Jets' special-teams unit. Kicker Matt Ammendola didn't do much to help his job security pulling a 42-yard field-goal wide left in the second half. The kick would have given the Jets a seven-point lead at the time.
He later connected from 37 yards out and finished 2-for-3, but that might not be enough to save his job. Especially with Alex Kessman waiting in the wings on the practice squad.
Ammendola wasn't the only one who struggled, however. For the second consecutive week, Braden Mann shanked a punt, this one coming at a crucial time late in the fourth quarter.
Fortunately, the Jets' defense bailed Mann out, but the second-year punter has looked very shaky since returning from injury.
Throw in Justin Hardee failing to down a punt short of the goal line in the fourth quarter as well and special-teams coordinator Brant Boyer will have plenty to be unhappy about this week.