In a Patriots season defined by inconsistency, Jake Bailey has been unflinchingly reliable.
The second-year punter leads the NFL in net yardage (46.1), has landed 23 of his 40 punts inside the 20-yard line with only three touchbacks, and opponents have just 46 return yards — all season. He’s certainly aided by an exceptional coverage team, but Matthew Slater says Bailey deserves plenty of praise, too.
“I think Jake is as good as a punter as there is in the National Football League with some of the things he’s able to do,” Slater said after Thursday’s loss in Los Angeles.