Jets on Film: Brian Winters

The Jets ran for 256 yards in their win over the Jaguars. While it was by all means a phenomenal showing from both Bilal Powell and rookie Elijah McGuire, some credit needs to go to the guys up front. The man who caught my eye the most was the richly re-signed Brian Winters.

Winters missed last week’s game against Miami, and with Dakota Dozier filling in, the line had a tough time. It might have been the weakest performance from the group over the first three weeks. Winters returned this week, while starting right tackle Brandon Shell missed the game. Going up against a strong Jacksonville front, the line was noticeably improved with Winters back. Here’s a look at some of his work against the Jaguars.

Winters is #67, right guard.

3rd and 10 at JAX 40

(13:13 - 2nd) (Shotgun) J.McCown sacked at JAX 45 for -5 yards (B.Church).

We’ll start off with Winters’ major mistake before getting to the good stuff. Here, Jacksonville fools him with a stunt. #93 Calais Campbell is lined up outside Winers’ right shoulder. When Campbell comes inside and takes on Wesley Johnson, Winters gives a very quick peek to the man initially lined up over the center, Barry Church. Church makes a quick fake as if he’s backing into coverage, enough to get Winters to bite and leave the lane wide open as he goes to help Brent Qvale instead.

1st and 10 at NYJ 25

(7:49 - 1st) Bilal Powell 75 Yd Run (Chandler Catanzaro Kick)

Now, to the good stuff. Winters makes a nice play on Powell’s long touchdown. He makes a quick and smooth pull to the right, taking Barry Church out of the play. Brent Qvale and Eric Tomlinson (a strong blocking tight end) made key blocks as well.

1st and 10 at NYJ 31

(10:02 - 3rd) Elijah McGuire 69 Yd Run (Chandler Catanzaro Kick)

Solid blocking all around here. Wesley Johnson and Brent Qvale carve the initial hole, but it’s not as big as it might have seemed. Lots of credit to McGuire here, who not only picks the right lane but slips through with perfect positioning at full speed to avoid the defense, following it up with some slick footwork to find daylight. At the second level, it’s Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Winters making the key blocks to turn a cute 6 yard run into a game-changing 69 yard run. Seferian-Jenkins dominates his man off the line. Winters immediately hits the second level and gets just enough of Myles Jack to remove him from the play by the time McGuire sprints by. Team touchdown.

3rd and 7 at NYJ 45

(11:21 - 4th) (Shotgun) J.McCown pass deep left to R. Anderson to JAX 14 for 41 yards (A.Bouye).

On the long bomb to Robby Anderson, Winters is isolated against the speedy Myles Jack. This is a creative blitz from Jacksonville. The strong side (left side) of the Jets formation holds up well. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Kelvin Beachum, and James Carpenter hold up. The defender on the weak side (right side) of the Jets formation skips over two gaps and looks to rush down the middle. He never gets close to hitting home, but he attracts the attention of Wesley Johnson at center and Brent Qvale at right tackle, as neither gets engaged. All of this action leaves Winters 1-on-1 with Myles Jack, who has room to work. Winters eats up the young linebacker and gives McCown the time to find Robby Anderson.

3rd and 18 at NYJ 12

(3:00 - OT) (Shotgun) J.McCown pass short right to B.Powell to NYJ 25 for 13 yards (D.Fowler).

In the chain reaction game of football, where each little play sets up the next big play, this turned out to be a really important little play from Winters. On 3rd & 18 and backed up to their own 12, the Jets at the very least needed some yardage here to better set up a punt and back Jacksonville out of potential field goal range. It’s a designed screen, so the Jets lure in the pass rush as Winters, Johnson, and Carpenter leak out. Telvin Smith was in a zone here, and he reads the play and begins pursuit before McCown gets rid of the ball. He’s got plenty of speed and takes a pretty solid route to Powell where he’d be in excellent position to make a TFL. Winters just beats Smith to the spot and pancakes him to setup the 70 yard punt that ultimately won the Jets the game. Great positioning and finish.

I thought this was a mostly promising performance from Winters. Others, like John B, had vastly different opinions on Winters in this game.

What did you think of Winters and the offensive line?