Either Todd Downing’s promotion jump-started Breece Hall, or the timing of the uptick in Hall’s production is quite a coincidence for the Jets.
After a slow start to a season with self-set All-Pro expectations, Hall has one 100-yard rushing game and one 100-yard receiving game in his first two with Downing calling the plays.
The third-year running back’s combined total is 310 yards from scrimmage — just 35 fewer than he notched in five games under demoted offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
“I think we’re buying into the offense a little more, but we’re pretty much calling the same stuff — maybe a little different window dressing,” Hall told The Post. “Him and Hack are still very collaborative in their process, and Hack is very involved in everything we’re doing.”
The rushing attack took a step back last week when the Jets dropped from averaging 5.8 yards per carry (6.3 for Hall) against the Bills in Downing’s debut to 3.6 (3.2 for Hall) against the Steelers, but Hall contributed a career-high 103 yards on six catches.
The offense needs him to keep the hot hand in order to snap a four-game losing streak Sunday against the Patriots.
“I don’t even think it’s been a ‘slow start’ because I’ve still made some big plays and had some decent games,” Hall said. “As far as rushing, I wish I could do more, but I’m not pressed about it. I’m getting it done in another way. Find a way to contribute — turn a short-yardage reception into a big gain. You pride yourself on things like that, and that’s how you gain value as a player.”
Hall is second among NFL running backs with 32 catches and first with 307 receiving yards.
“One of the most impressive things about Breece’s game is he is so well-rounded,” Downing said. “He catches the ball well, he understands route concepts, but then he has that run-after-catch ability that — even if he is a checkdown in a progression, he can make an explosive gain out of that.
“None of us were surprised at what he was able to do with the ball in his hands from a receiving standpoint at Pittsburgh. Always trying to find that balance of run and pass with him, and trying to get the ball in his hands as many ways as possible.”
The Jets already have “an embarrassment of riches” at receiver, as Downing put it, after adding Davante Adams to Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Mike Williams.
Downing’s first priority is “to get the run game going.” He sees a key to that as extending drives and setting up more first-down runs.
“Part of that is on us [as offensive lineman], giving him more opportunities in each game,” center Joe Tippman said. “When we have to get on our heels and drop back, he doesn’t have those same opportunities. It’s great to see him finally coming back [to his standard], but we don’t put that on him at all. That’s all on us.”
Even with the arrival of rookie short-yardage back Braelon Allen, Hall has logged 70 percent or more of the offensive snaps in six of seven games. He didn’t reach that threshold until the final three games of last season — his first after a torn ACL.
The only problem with Hall’s awakening is that it hasn’t translated to wins.
“I just want to win, so the individual stuff doesn’t really matter too much,” Hall said. “We all have to be a part of it and do it as a collective. We just have to stack days and stack Ws.”
Hall has made six explosive plays of at least 18 yards in the past two games.
“He’s someone who goes out there to get it however he can,” Tippman said. “If one door closes, he knows that’s another opening.”
The Patriots are allowing 136.1 yards per game on the ground. Downing is shouldering the burden of creating running lanes for Hall so that he can open up the pass game — for himself and others.
“Identifying throughout the course of the game what’s working, what adjustments we’ve made on the sideline,” Downing said, “so we can feel comfortable repeating calls and giving him another shot on goal at the same scheme.”
