Special teams has been a facet of the game that New England has struggled in recently. Unlike Patriots teams of years past, this one has been sloppy in their special teams play, and has committed blunder after blunder that has lost them multiple games this season.
On Saturday, this poor special teams play reared its head yet again, though this time it came out for both teams. In single-digit temperatures, the football became hard as a rock and incredibly hard to kick, as ESPN’s Mike Reiss noted pregame.
Football must feel like a brick. Nick Folk concludes his warmup with a long of 50 yards. He usually has a final attempt from 58.
Tristan Vizcaino, elevated from the practice squad, extended his warmup out to 53 yards.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 24, 2022
Kicking was an issue for both teams all game long, though it mattered far more to the Patriots. Cincinnati’s Evan McPherson missed two extra points and a field goal while the Bengals were building their lead, but then New England’s Nick Folk missed two crucial extra points as the Patriots were trying to make their comeback.
Punter Michael Palardy also contributed to this special teams slop fest for the Patriots, fumbling a punt near the end of the first quarter after catching it from long snapper Tucker Addington, who is filling in for the injured Joe Cardona.
Although the snap was good, Palardy dropped the ball, and nearly had the punt blocked as he got his second attempt off.
Bruh. pic.twitter.com/9Nraid4y6x
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) December 24, 2022
The special teams play of this Patriots team has been emblematic of their overall performance this season. The endless number of mistakes and blunders is far below what people expect from New England.
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