NEW YORK _ Perhaps the most underplayed storyline during the Jets' resurgence has been the vastly improved performance by the offensive line.
The maligned guys in the trenches have navigated through a rash of injuries that has prevented continuity up front this season. Gang Green has had six starting combinations in the first 11 games, which isn't ideal for a unit that relies on chemistry more than any other group.
"The o-line has done a great job of trying to gel as quickly as possible," Adam Gase said. "(Sunday) when Beachum went down and then (Brandon) Shell goes in and plays left. Then Chuma goes down and then Beachum comes back so (Shell) flips to the right. I feel like he's done a great job in that area as far as just being ready to go on both sides, being able to get thrown in there and, really, do a good job of working with both (guards) Alex (Lewis) and Tom (Compton). I think those three interior guys have done a really good job of communication, being on the same page, helping each other out, making sure that they're all using their help in the right spots."
The Jets will start a seventh different lineup this week in Cincinnati after right tackle Chuma Edoga suffered a Grade 2 MCL Sprain against the Raiders. Shell, who was replaced by Edoga in Week 5, will be re-inserted into the starting lineup.
The group has never played better than right now despite losing a pair of Week 1 starters (center Ryan Kalil and right guard Brian Winters). Center Jonotthan Harrison, who should have been the starter all along in hindsight, and Tom Compton have played well in recent weeks.
The Jets allowed just one sack and one quarterback hit against Oakland. (Truth be told, it was a coverage sack.)
Gang Green's pass protection has been markedly better than early in the season. The Jets have allowed just three sacks and five quarterback hits the past two weeks. Sam Darnold has been sacked just five times in the past three games.
"They've been great," Darnold said. "They have just been communicating so well. They are in sync with each other right now. It's really fun to be able to be behind those guys and know that I am all good... They have been doing a great job these last few weeks. I know they are not satisfied either. They are going to continue to get better. They've been awesome so far."
Veteran left tackle Kelvin Beachum has been the leader of the group, setting an example by playing with two ailing ankles. Beachum, who fast-tracked his comeback from a high-ankle sprain, sprained his other ankle Sunday. He taped it up and missed just four plays. Beachum didn't allow a pressure against the Raiders. He's allowed just three pressures in his last four games. The Jets, not coincidentally, won all four of those games.
"Beachum's that type of dude," defensive lineman Henry Anderson said. "I think any offensive lineman that's been in the league for that long, you got to have that type of mindset where you're going to fight through some stuff. Winters was fighting through some stuff. We had a lot of guys that were battling (injuries), especially on the offensive line.... So, a lot of times those dudes get defenders and running backs rolled up into the back of the legs. It's always amazing to me that they're still able to hop back up and go back out the next play. Beach is a tough dude. ... I have all the respect in the world for those dudes with the amount of times they're getting rolled up on and banged from all different positions."
Darnold certainly appreciates his blind-side protector.
"That's just who he is," Darnold said. "He's the kind of guy, if things aren't going well, he's the typical guy that is just like 'Hey, so what, now what? What do I have to do to help this team win?' That's all he is going to do. He is just a really good leader, really good teammate... He's been battling through some stuff this year and he is going to continue to do that and we recognize it too. He's being a great leader for us and a great captain."
Beachum and the rest of the line are peaking at the right time.
