“Patriots’ Special Teams Blunder Highlights 96-Yard Punt Return Touchdown by Jaguars”
The last time the New England Patriots gave up a punt return touchdown before Sunday, their head coach was still playing in the NFL. Back then, just like now, Jerod Mayo could only watch from the sideline as the special teams faltered.
In 2015, Darren Sproles of the Philadelphia Eagles returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown. In 2024, Jacksonville Jaguars returner Parker Washington went even further, taking a 96-yard punt from Bryce Baringer at the 4-yard line and running it all the way to the end zone.
Washington’s celebratory backward fall into the end zone not only gave the Jaguars a 20-10 lead late in the second quarter but also highlighted a disastrous sequence for the Patriots’ special teams.
After New England’s 32-16 loss, the blame began circulating, starting with head coach Mayo.
“I saw guys losing leverage and a punt down the middle, which is always hard to cover,” Mayo said in his postgame press conference. “[Baringer] has a strong leg, but he out-kicked his coverage, and we weren’t disciplined in our lanes.”
Baringer has been one of the team’s standout players this season, showcasing his power again with a 66-yard punt. However, no Patriots player was within 10 yards of Washington when he fielded the kick, setting the stage for the breakdown.
Washington then took advantage of poor angles from the coverage team, slipped through the initial defense, and outran everyone—including Baringer—on his way to the score.
Linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who was on the field for the play, emphasized the need for accountability. “That’s personal for us as defensive players,” he said. “We can’t let that happen again. I haven’t seen the film yet, but it’s unacceptable. If the punt lands on the 4-yard line, that play has to be dead. We’ll get it fixed.”
For Tavai, the key to preventing such mistakes comes down to an old Patriots mantra: every player simply doing their job.