When Jets kicker Nick Folk arrived to his locker Tuesday, there was an empty red five-gallon gas tank in front of it.
It was a rare read-between-the-lines message — signifying that it’s late in a long season and now is not the time to run out of gas — from Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff, who generally delivers them with a scowl and language so salty it might make Rex Ryan blush.
Two weeks ago, with the Jets preparing to play a home game against the Chiefs as they battled for their playoff lives, Westhoff delivered a message to a higher power than Folk.
After having dinner with his girlfriend in the city, Westhoff quietly made a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 10:30 at night.
“I went there seeing if I could get some help,’’ Westhoff said yesterday. “Sometimes you do things for your own peace of mind. I’ll try anything.’’
Westhoff, a cancer survivor whose NFL coaching career spans back to his days with Don Shula in Miami, is unafraid that way.
That’s what makes his special teams so dangerous. That’s what makes the Jets’ special teams units the best in the NFL. And that very well might be the reason the 8-6 Jets beat the 7-7 Giants on Saturday at MetLife Stadium.
Eli Manning is going to hit the Jets secondary with some big passes to Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. Chances are whoever’s lining up at tight end for the Giants, if it’s not Jake Ballard, whose been injured and likely out, is going to make some plays on the Jets safeties and linebackers.
Mark Sanchez is going to make some plays to Dustin Keller, Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes (provided Holmes doesn’t do something stupid to nullify whatever good plays he makes). Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson might even gash the Giants defense for a couple big runs.
But since these two teams are so evenly matched with their respective strengths and flaws on offense and defense, the chances are good that this game will be decided by a special teams play or two.
And, based on his track record, my money is on Westhoff’s Jets winning this game.
“With how explosive both teams can be I think special teams is going to be the key to this game,’’ left guard Matt Slauson said. “I’m not in the special-teams meetings watching film of the Giants, but everything I hear is we have the advantage there.’’
Despite their uncharacteristic five fumbles in the kick return game this year, the Jets believe they have a special teams edge in every game.
“We like to think of ourselves as the best in the league,’’ tight end Josh Baker said. “With coach Westhoff and his schemes we feel we have that one-up on everybody we play against.’’
The Jets should “one-up’’ the Giants as they bring the league’s most dynamic kickoff return game to MetLife Stadium Saturday and it won’t matter who’s back there — whether it’s Joe McKnight, who leads the NFL with a 32.3-yard average but is questionable with a shoulder injury, or Antonio Cromartie, who’s capable of taking one the distance.
To illustrate how good the Jets kickoff return unit is, they lead the NFL in average offensive drive start, averaging the 26.9-yard line. That’s two yards better than the second place team in that category, the Vikings. The Giants are ranked 25th with an average start at the 21.2 yards.
In kick coverage, the Jets are ranked seventh, allowing opponents to start drives at the 21.1 yard-line, while the Giants are No. 23 (the 22.2 yard line).
This yardage is a factor, not to be taken for granted.
“I feel like going into the game that’s one phase we don’t have to worry about at all; our special teams is the best, the elite group in the league,’’ defensive tackle Marcus Dixon said.
“This team has had a history of good special teams, so we always count on our special teams,’’ defensive tackle Sione Pouha said. “They’re what we turn to when we need a play. They’re always there for us.’’