The 2025 New York Jets season has not been very successful. At 3â9, New York hasn’t been able to put things together consistently on offense or defense. But there has been one major bright spot that most people arenât talking about: the Jetsâ special teams, which have quietly had an elite season.
Veteran kicker Nick Folk has been incredibly reliable this season, making 22 of his 23 field goal attempts for a 95.6 percent success rate per ESPN.
24-year-old punter Austin McNamara has also made a major impact, pinning opponents inside their own 20-yard line 22 times, which ranks fourth in the NFL, according to ESPN. He was also named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November by the NFL.
In the return game, Isaiah Williams and Kene Nwangwu have both provided steady production and have consistently set the Jets up with strong field position throughout the season. Both players have also found the end zone once this season, giving the team a spark on special teams.
GettyNick Folk makes game-winning field goal last Sunday.
Special Teams Takes the Spotlight
Head Coach Aaron Glenn said, “I’m one of the coaches that truly, truly believes that special teams can change the momentum of a game. That’s the reason why we spend so much time with it” (SNYJets on X).
“Banjo preaches buy-in, but with buy-in, you’ve got to also stay in and that’s what we’ve been doing. Every meeting, he puts this slide up about belief, and as long as you believe and have faith in Jesus Christ, you’ll go out and make every play,” said gunner Qwan’tez Stiggers when speaking about the special teams unit (SNYJets on X).
Stiggers recovered a muffed punt at the Falconsâ 2-yard line that set up a Jets touchdown in New Yorkâs 27â24 win last Sunday.
âIt is a legit special teams unit from Folk to McNamara to the coverage on punts and kickoffs. Stiggers is one of the best gunners in the league, you can certainly say, not to mention what they are getting on returns,â said ESPNâs Jake Asman on The Jake Asman Show. âI wish this team had a better defense and offense because the special teams is as good as any in the league right now.â
GettyQwan’tez Stiggers has been one of the best gunners in the NFL this season.
Offense and Defense Trending Upwards
Unlike the Jetsâ special teams unit, their offense and defense have not been very consistent. However, New Yorkâs most recent game against the Falcons last Sunday showed that this team is capable of playing well in all three phases, which is why the Jets came away with their third win of the season.
The Jetsâ offense put up 27 points and was effective in the passing game, with Adonai Mitchell recording 102 receiving yards and a touchdown. The defense added two key sacks and made timely stops, which helped set up the offense to put Nick Folk in position to hit an impressive 56-yard field goal in the rain to win the game.
In prior weeks, New York struggled to succeed in all three phases, but the win over the Falcons showed what this team is capable of.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post The Jets’ Overlooked Unit Shining in a Tough Year appeared first on Heavy Sports.