This season the Patriots have had 13 kicks returned. Five were returned beyond the 25 yard line while six came up short. Seven the returns concluded within five yards of the 25. The two big returns did not cross midfield, but one came really close as Detroit did start their possession on their own 47.
VERDICT- While luring their oppenents to try and run back a kickoff hasn't hurt them much this season, it also hasn't been beneficial. In my opinion, it's playing with fire and not really worth it. Last week Corey Davis blew out his knee on a kickoff return which commenced on the Cleveland 2.
In total the Patriots have had five returns which had them start their possession inside their own 25 and five returns which had them starting beyond the 25. Nine of the returns were within five yards of the 25. Their worst return left them at their own 17 against Pittsburg. They had two returns which gave them slightly better than normal field position. Both of those kicks were returned to the Patriots' 34 and were taken from 3 yards inside the endzone.
While everyone loves huge kickoff return, I just feel like whenever you think your team has one, there ends up being yellow laundry on the field. This year has been no different as a Patriots' return to their own 39 against Green Bay was negated by a holding penalty.
RECENT PATRIOTS' RETURN HISTORY-
- Last kickoff return for a touchdown was in 2018 by Cordarrelle Patterson.
- 2017 Dion Lewis had a kickoff return for a touchdown
- Patriots ending the season in the upper echelon of the NFL in recent years:
- 2019 Brandon Bolden 22.39
- 2018 Cordarrelle Patterson 28.83
- 2017 Dion Lewis 24.78
- 2014 Danny Amendola 24.1