Looking back at New York Jets’ 2010 playoff win at New England – 3 unheralded OL plays

The last time that the New York Jets found playoff glory, it was an elite offensive line paving the way. Once upon a time, the New York Jets had actually had an offensive line that gave its play-makers some room to operate. Not coincidentally, the last time that statement rang true is also the last time that the Jets were a championship contender. The Jets had a beastly offensive line from 2009-10, a span in which they won four playoff games. In 2009, from left-to-right: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Alan Faneca, Nick Mangold, Brandon Moore, Damien Woody. Faneca was replaced with rookie Matt Slauson in 2010, and the unit hardly skipped a beat. Those men anchored one of the league's absolute best offensive fronts for two years running. Pro Football Focus graded the Jets as the NFL's most effective pass-protecting offense in each season, also placing sixth (2009) and ninth (2010) in run blocking. In 2009, Mark Sanchez took the third-lowest pressure rate in football (23.4%), and in 2010, the sixth-lowest (26.9%). Let's look back at three memorable moments from the Jets' most recent playoff win - the 2010 Divisional victory at New England - in which the offensive line played a central role in making the play happen. Ferguson's recovery - Mark Sanchez 37-yard pass to Braylon Edwards Q2, 11:38, , NE 3 - NYJ 0, 3RD & 6 AT NE 45 This play was a massive turning point. The Jets had gotten off to a cold start offensively. They punted on two of their first three drives, and on the other, they were set up at New England's 12-yard line (following a 58-yard David Harris interception) and gained zero yards before Nick Folk missed a 30-yard field goal. Sanchez threw for only 26 yards over his first eight passes (3.3 per attempt). On a third-and-medium slightly beyond midfield, the Jets offense finally got its wheels turning. Sanchez was given plenty of time against a three-man rush, rolled to his left, and fired a dart downfield to Edwards, who hauled it in against his helmet for a 37-yard gain. A clutch recovery by Ferguson (LT) allowed Sanchez's bomb to happen. Ferguson allows some penetration to Tully Banta-Cain (#95), but he anchors down and thrusts Banta-Cain towards the inside and to the ground, allowing Sanchez to scramble outside uncontested. Sanchez deserves a lot of credit there for avoiding what could have been a sack, and that certainly was not the cleanest rep from Ferguson for allowing a bit of pressure in the first place. However, what often separates the good linemen from the bad is the ability to recover. Nobody can win every battle, but there is always a chance for a lineman to make up for his initial defeat by staying with the play and giving his teammate (either the QB or RB) an opportunity to keep things going. Ferguson does that tremendously here, paving the way for a crucial completion by Sanchez. LaDainian Tomlinson would score on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Sanchez two plays later. Mangold second level - LaDainian Tomlinson 16-yard run Q2, 1:06, , NE 3 - NYJ 7, 1ST & 10 AT NE 37 The Jets got the ball in New England territory with under 70 seconds left in the half thanks to a botched fake punt attempt by Patrick Chung. Immediately, the offensive line got to work. On first down, Tomlinson rumbled up the middle for a 16-yard gain that put the Jets in business, powered by Mangold and Wayne Hunter. While the latter may have had a rocky Jets career, he got the job done on this play, starting in place of the injured Woody. Watch as the Jets leave the 2i-tech on their left side (#74 Kyle Love) unblocked for Hunter (RT) to pull inside and pick him up - a "trap" play. Hunter executes the block to create the lane for Tomlinson to break through the line. Mangold gets out to the second level and wins inside leverage against the linebacker to lead Tomlinson. Mangold made the second-level block look easy throughout his Jets career. Trust me, it's not. Just watch some 2020 Jets film. Clean five-man protection, skill players chipping in - Mark Sanchez 58-yard pass to Jerricho Cotchery Q4, 15:00, , NE 11 - NYJ 14, 2ND & 6 AT NYJ 29 The Jets kicked off the fourth quarter in a big way on the strength of great blocking from not only their offensive line, but some contributions from their skill position players as well. New England brings five rushers against the Jets' five linemen. Cotchery chips the edge rusher on the left side while Tomlinson draws attention from the edge rusher on the right, giving the Jets a numbers advantage inside (credit to Brian Schottenheimer for the design). On the left side, Mangold (C) and Slauson (LG) hold up strong while Ferguson absorbs the crashing-down DT, and on the right, Moore (RG) anchors down in his one-on-one matchup on an island. Sanchez gets a picture-perfect window to find an open Cotchery. Once Cotchery gets into the open field, Dustin Keller's hustle pops off the screen. Keller creates about 30 extra yards for Cotchery, booking it downfield to get out in front and then plowing James Sanders into the ground. In 2020, the Jets need to see more plays like this one from not only their offensive line, but from Ryan Griffin and the tight end group, too. Perhaps Chris Herndon will establish himself as the dual receiving/blocking threat that Keller was.