Week 6 Film Room - Breaking down the Jets dominant performance on the ground

Examining how Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur's creative play-design unlocked the run game with a focus on Duane Brown, Laken Tomlinson, Nate Herbig and Alijah Vera-Tucker

Photo via Tyler Wise

The Jets are coming off of a statement 27-10 win over the Packers at Lambeau Field in Week 6 where they passed the ball just 18 times for 99 net yards but ran 33 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns. When I went back and studied the film of New York’s offensive line, I was impressed by several individual performances. This was the first time all season that the Jets had the same starting five in back-to-back games, and it resulted in their best performance of the year. The most notable takeaways from the film included offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur’s and offensive line coach John Benton’s run game design, adept use of motion and ability to provide layups to the line in pass-protection.

• LT Duane Brown was excellent as a run-blocker in his second game back from injury and was featured in many of the same ways that the 49ers utilize LT Trent Williams to take advantage of his plus movement skills.

• RT Alijah Vera-Tucker brings high-level run-blocking skills to the table as a guard or tackle, with the combination of play strength and sound technique to thrive in the run game against smaller edge-defenders while also excelling against defensive tackles on down blocks, double-teams and backside cut-offs.

• LG Laken Tomlinson played his best game as a Jet and brought the physically imposing presence that the Jets sought when they signed him away from the 49ers. Tomlinson was controlled and imposing in the run game while providing thump when uncovered in pass-protection (the hallmarks of his career).

• RG Nate Herbig made his third start of the season and was the surprise standout in this game because of what he did against Packers star DT Kenny Clark. Jets GM Joe Douglas signed Herbig as an undrafted free agent in 2019 during his time with the Eagles and signed him this past May to the Jets. Herbig has a massive frame at 6’4” 335 pounds. He offers above average play strength and very good competitive toughness that allows him to compete in the run game and handle power at a high level.

The Jets have a strong blend of coaching, scheme and personnel up front to trot out a diverse, effective run game centered around a heavy dose of play-action and RPOs to allow the offensive line to play downhill and minimize what’s asked of them in pass-protection. To continue improving and compete at even higher levels, they will need to unleash Zach Wilson and count on him to make more throws. However, you can win a lot of games with dominant trench play and shrewd coaching, which is a pathway the Jets are beginning to carve for themselves. I broke down this and a lot more below.