Patriots vs. Texans: 6 Bold Predictions

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

4. Damaris Johnson will fix Pats’ kick return woes

Right now, there is not a worse kick return unit in the league than that of the Patriots, and it’s not even close. The Patriots are averaging just 14.7 yards per kick return, which is a substantial 3.6 yards per return less than the next-worst unit, Carolina. Furthermore, the Patriots’ longest return is just 29 yards, the lowest long in the league. Without a doubt, this is a part of the game in which the Patriots need to improve.

The Pats signed Johnson last week so that Danny Amendola wouldn’t have to risk his health in special teams, and he did an alright job returning kicks. He didn’t do anything special. But in Week 14, Johnson will announce himself to the entirety of the Patriots’ fan base by fielding a kickoff and returning it all the way back for a touchdown.

Read what they said: Patriots’ reaction to Week 13 loss

Like Martin, Johnson is a former member of the Texans. He actually figured pretty significantly into the Texans’ passing attack last season, snagging 31 balls for 331 yards and a touchdown. In the return game, Johnson has a nice career average of 25.1 yards per return.

Johnson will provide a third-quarter boost for the Patriots, taking the opening second half kickoff and slicing his way through the Texans’ coverage team. It will be a sight for Patriots’ fans sore eyes when it comes to the return game.

Next: 3. Brian Hoyer will throw three picks