The New England Patriots entered their bye week on a low note after getting blown out 34-10 by the Tennessee Titans. They showed weaknesses in all three phases of the football — but we will concentrate on just one today: special teams, a unit that had another inconsistent outing on Sunday. It was nothing new for the Patriots, who have had their fair share of ups and downs in the kicking game all year long.
While special teams coach Joe Judge’s unit is the only one to score touchdowns off a kick return and a block this season — the group did it both during the Patriots’ week seven game against the Chicago Bears — it also has struggled covering kickoffs and punts: New England ranks fourth-worst in the NFL in kickoff return average (26.