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The Jets offensive line did a terrific job in New England, often dominating the Patriots Front Seven – it looks like they are poised to have their act together the rest of the year.
The Jets offensive line took a huge step forward in this game with the return of Nick Mangold. Their pass protection and run blocking were both terrific.
On the Jets first play on offense, they brought Caleb Schlauderaff in as an extra tight end. The used him in this role throughout the game, and based on the results, he will likely be the new Wayne Hunter in the tight end/sixth offensive lineman role, moving forward.
But the Jets threw out of this formation, a quick pass into the right flat to Shonn Greene that gained five yards.
On the first play of the second series, LT ran for a gain of nine off right tackle. Nick Mangold, Brandon Moore and Wayne Hunter all had superb blocks on this play. The best one was by Hunter, who did a great job of locking up Shaun Ellis on this play, and LT ran right by him.
But right after this terrific play, Matthew Mulligan jumped off-sides on second-and-one. This drive ended with a drop by John Connor on third-and-one. The Jets had FB Lousaka Polite in for a workout today.
On the Jets third series, Shonn Green ran behind Moore for a gain of eight on the right side. But then third-and-two, Sanchez was sacked, and the drive ended – the two outside pass rushers split the sack. I’m not going to kill the Jets offensive line for this sack – they gave up just two the entire game – it’s going to happen.
Moore played very, very well in this game. In the middle of the second quarter, he pancaked Vince Wilfork, and Green ran through the hole in the center of the Pats line to gain eight yards.
Fast forward to the Jets long, run-driven, touchdown drive in the middle of the second quarter. The Jets offensive line was outstanding on this possession – outstanding.
Now you know why Wilfork joked during the week that he’s love it if Mangold didn’t play. Wilford finished the game with with just two tackles, and they weren’t even primary tackles, they were assists.
On this long TD drive, Mangold was excellent, like on back-to-back five-yard runs by Greene up the middle.
Brick also had two impressive blocks on this series.
On a seven-yard run to the left side by Greene, Brick did a nice job locking up OLB Andre Carter, and the tailback run behind him.
Then two plays later, Brick absolutely pulverized insides linebacker Brandon Spikes, and Greene ran behind him for a gain of four.
On the final play of the drive, Greene ran behind Moore for a three-yard TD. Even though this run went to the right side, one of the better blocks on the plays was by left guard Matt Slauson.
The Jets offense wasn’t on the field much in third quarter. There were two three-and-outs, and a three play TD drive after the long Joe McKnight kick return.
One nice run block in the third quarter came two plays after the McKnight return. Greene had a gain of seven, and one of the key blocks was by Hunter on DT Kyle Love.
The Jets long drive TD drive in the fourth quarter, the pass blocking was excellent. The best run on this drive was a nine-yard scamper by Greene to the left side, but the you need to give Greene the most credit for this run. Early in the run, he broke a tackle attempt by Gary Guyton. This was the key to the run.
One of the best blocks of the game was by Connor on the McKnight 88-yard kick return. His block early on get the run going.