Patriots vs. Colts: 5 bold predictions
Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Among players who have returned at least 10 punts, Amendola ranks a sly third in return average with 11 yards per attempt. The Patriots are smartly using Amendola as their main punt returner to lessen the wear-and-tear on offensive stalwart Edelman. No. 11 may be a little bit better, but there’s really not that much of a drop-off with Amendola returning punts.
In Week 6, Amendola will further come into his own as the Patriots’ top punt returner by taking a Pat MacAfee boot all the way back for a score. This will happen when the Colts are pegged deep in their own territory with MacAfee launching the ball out of the back of the end zone, which will land in Amendola’s hands at around midfield.
The Colts’ coverage unit will be outkicked by an impressive MacAfee punt, and Amendola will take advantage, slicing his way up toward the end zone.
Amendola continues to impress in both the punt game and the settled offense, proving that his difference-making performance in the Divisional Round against the Baltimore Ravens was not a one-time event. You would be hard-pressed to find a bigger Amendola fan than this writer.