Bell yeah! Le’Veon lights up Oakland
Le’Veon Bell gave everyone a reminder why he’s Le’Veon Freakin’ Bell in the Jets’ 34-3 rout over the Raiders Sunday. Although the three-time Pro Bowler didn’t light up the stat sheet, he showed some promising glimpses in an otherwise rough season.
Bell racked up the bulk of his 17 touches early, with 108 total yards to help Gang Green win their third in a row for the first time since 2017.
“It was huge,” Sam Darnold said. “Whenever we can get a great player like him involved early, it makes a difference and it gets us in a rhythm.”
Bell’s 23-yard reception (after lining up as a receiver) on the Jets first play from scrimmage set the tone for one of his most productive games of the season. He had 11 touches on the Jets first two scoring drives, showing off his varied skill set as a pass catcher and runner.
“We try to do the same thing most weeks as far as just trying to get him going in a rhythm,” Adam Gase said. “I thought the line did a good job of creating some holes for him. He did a good job of getting some of those tackles around his legs, because that’s how most people are trying to tackle him. They try and go low on him. He stepped out of quite a few of them.”
Bell, mired in his worst statistical season of his career, played an integral role in the Jets’ first win over a non-NFC East opponent. He racked 86 of his yards in the first half to help Gang Green seize control of the game.
Bell, who had 12 carries for 49 yards, topped 4.0 yards per rush for the only the second time this season.
“I went out there and made the plays when the plays presented themselves,” Bell said. “Sam got me the ball quick. Coach Gase was drawing up the plays and Sam was coming to me. So, it felt good.”
Gase’s offense racked up 401 total yards and 6.7 yards per play to improve to 4-7. The Jets had seven plays of 20-plus yards. The offensive line tied a seasonlow by allowing only one sack.
“I think as a group we’re getting in rhythm,” Bell said. “Guys understanding what they got to do. There’s weren’t too many mistakes made on offense today.”
It was smart for Gase & Co. to establish Bell early on.
“It’s big for our offense,” wide receiver Demaryius Thomas said. “He can run the ball. He can catch out of the backfield and make guys miss. Keep the ball going. Keep us ahead of the sticks. That’s one of the main things we always preach: Letting him get the ball.”
NOTES
Right tackle Chuma Edoga will get an MRI after leaving in the first half with a knee injury… Ryan Griffin caught his teamhigh fifth touchdown one day after signing a three-year extension (that included $4 million guarantees). Griffin’s five touchdowns is the most for the Jets tight end since Dustin Keller had five in 2011…. Robby Anderson finished with four catches for a team-high 86 yards, a touchdown and another leap into the stands to celebrate.
The Jets became the first team in the Super Bowl era to score 34 points in three consecutive games, according to ESPN Stats and Information.