Jets’ push for “explosives” on the ground is showing up on film, led by Frank Reich’s run concepts

After a late-season correction from a low-rushing-yard outing, New York’s offense has turned its gameplan into big gains, with Braelon Allen emerging as the most consistent catalyst. Meanwhile, K Jason Sanders is trending even steadier, and the Dolphins’ passing transition with Malik Willis still has uneven results to date.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Jets’ run game has become the featured trend in New York’s weekly Stock Report, with the club pointing to offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s willingness to attack with multiple run looks and to run behind all five offensive linemen.

New York’s staff traced the improvement to a course correction after a season-low 59 rushing yards against Chicago in Week 4. In Weeks 5 and 6 combined, the Jets posted 231 rushing yards, generated 110 yards before contact, and averaged 3.9 yards per carry.

Reich’s approach is described as varied, using a mix of inside and outside runs and different blocking patterns, including plays that feature pulling blockers and plays that do not. Through the first four games, the Jets had 6 explosive runs (10-plus yards), but RB Braelon Allen produced 9 explosive runs over the last two weeks.

In the Jets’ 17-12 win over Cleveland, Allen delivered multiple long gains, including runs of 17, 18, and 22 yards, and finished with a career-high 116 rushing yards on 24 carries. The report attributes key early-lane wins to RG Joe Tippmann and RT Armand Membou, and highlights LG Jordan Meredith’s block on Allen’s touchdown run.

The Stock Report also credits the offensive line for execution in matchups against New England, citing explosive runs of 13 and 16 yards that were set up by Tippmann’s blocking and Meredith’s pulling concept.

The Jets’ kicking remains a separate steady point. Special teams coordinator Chris Banjo said K Jason Sanders’ daily routine is building confidence, and the report notes Sanders converted all four field-goal attempts against the Patriots in Week 6, bringing him to 12-of-13 for the season (92.3%).

Against Miami, the report sets up the matchup question with a clear theme: the Dolphins’ passing offense has not stabilized yet under QB Malik Willis through five starts. Willis is averaging 169.8 passing yards per game (31st in the NFL) with 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, while Malik Washington leads the team with 262 receiving yards but has not scored.

The Jets’ defense is listed as the key counterweight, with Miami’s next opponent coming off a pass-defense profile of 185 yards allowed per game (No. 4 in the NFL in the report), and an offense that is still developing chemistry with an inexperienced receiving group.

Why It Matters

If the Jets can keep producing explosive runs, it changes game flow by creating longer offensive stretches and more opportunities off play-action and secondary adjustments.
Allen’s recent explosive output gives New York a clear personnel and concept story, making Reich’s run-game blueprint easier to game-plan against but harder to stop.
Sanders’ accuracy provides a reliable scoring pathway, especially in matchups where drives stall and field goals become the most dependable finish.
For the Dolphins, the Willis passing transition still shows uneven results, and the Jets’ pass-defense ranking in the report sets a tougher immediate test for Miami’s passing rhythm.

Sources

Key Facts

The Jets’ Stock Report ties the run-game turnaround to a response after 59 rushing yards vs. Chicago in Week 4.
In Weeks 5 and 6, New York totaled 231 rushing yards, 110 yards before contact, and averaged 3.9 yards per carry.
Reich’s run concepts are described as diverse, including inside and outside runs, with and without pulling blockers.
Braelon Allen recorded 9 explosive runs over the last two weeks, including a 17-, 18-, and 22-yard sequence vs. Cleveland and a career-high 116 rushing yards on 24 carries.
K Jason Sanders is 12-of-13 this season after going 4-for-4 in Week 6, and he is listed as perfect 9-of-9 from inside 50 yards.
Miami QB Malik Willis has struggled through five starts, averaging 169.8 passing yards per game (31st) with 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.