The Jets got a boost from their special teams, headlined by the performance of Kene Nwangwu in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. The practice squad running back forced a fumble that the Jets converted into a touchdown in the first quarter and returned a kickoff for touchdown early in the second quarter.
Nwangwu signed with Jets practice squad in September just before their season opener at San Francisco and was elevated to the active roster for the first time for the game against Seattle.
"He earned the right to play today because of his hard work," interim HC Jeff Ulbrich said. "And all that hard work came to fruition today. The plays he made today were amazing for him and the team because of all that we have invested in him as a human being."
Nwangwu's score was the fourth kickoff return touchdown of his career. He fielded the kick at the 1-yard line, reversed field, broke a pair of tackles as he sprinted through the first wave of defenders and let his blocking take care of the rest down the left sideline to put the Jets ahead, 21-7.
"The return happened just like we drew it up," Nwangwu said. "I saw Irv [Charles] come down and kick out a defender, I read him and then up toward the middle of the field. Someone almost tackled me and then we were up the sideline. I slowed down to get a block and then got to the endzone and finally got to celebrate."
Midway through the first quarter, with the Jets kicking off after taking a 6-0 lead on an 8-yard TD catch by WR Davante Adams, Nwangwu knocked the ball loose from returner Dee Williams. Nwangwu forced the fumble from behind and CB Brandin Echols recovered it at the Seattle 29-yard line.
"I was just trying to be instinctual and trying to make a play," Nwangwu said. "I got off my block and I saw the ball and it was literally there on a platter for me. I kept it simple and tried to make a play."
On the ensuing drive, rookie RB Isaiah Davis took a short shovel pass from QB Aaron Rodgers into the end zone form 4 yards out. The score extended the lead to 14-0 after a 2-point conversion by RB Breece Hall.
"He is such an amazing story," Ulbrich said. "Kene is a guy that for weeks we have been spotlighting and showing the team his process and how hard he works. It sets a great example for the team."
In addition to Nwangwu's play on special teams, Jets K Anders Carlson recovered a muffed kickoff on the Seahawks' 38-yard line in the second quarter and DL Quinnen Williams blocked an extra point in the third.
"The special teams did their part today in giving us a chance to win," Ulbrich said.
Prior to New York, Nwangwu, drafted in the fourth round out of Iowa State in 2021, spent all three years of his NFL career with the Vikings as an RB and return specialist. In 2021, he led the league with 2 kickoff return TDs and added another in 2022. This season was his first spent on a practice squad. He took advantage of the opportunity earning a chance to play Sunday.
"I had to learn a whole new way of doing things being on the practice squad," Nwangwu said. "My ultimate goal now is, I want to give the best look to the defense that I can and lock in any information in case I am called up. That has been my process, and it paid off today."
