Had everything gone according to plan, Jabrill Peppers would not have returned a pair of punts during the New England Patriots’ win over the New York Jets on Sunday. However, the 27-year-old had different ideas.
After rookie Demario Douglas had bobbled the first punt of the day in rainy conditions, the Patriots opted to send the veteran Peppers onto the field for the second. The instructions were simple: don’t take any risks, and just fair-catch the ball.
However, when he fielded a Thomas Morstead punt midway through the first quarter, Peppers saw an opportunity he knew he had to take advantage of.