New England Patriots team grades vs Miami Dolphins Week 12

It was a ho-hum day for the Patriots special teams. They didn’t do anything wrong, but they didn’t do anything spectacular either. They just got the job done when called upon.

After knocking through four field goals last week against the Oakland Raiders, including a career and franchise long 63-yarder, Stephen Gostkowski was not called upon for a field goal this week. The Patriots offense finished off all their scoring drives with a touchdown. Gostkowski was called upon five times for extra points and knocked them all through the uprights.

Coverage teams were solid as always for the Patriots. Jakeem Grant returned four kickoffs and averaged only 24.3 yards per return with a long of 28 yards. He had one punt return and gained zero yards as the coverage teams did their job.

Punter Ryan Allen was good as well. He was called upon three times, averaging 40.7 yards per punt with a long of 46. He landed one punt inside the 20-yard line and had one touchback.

New England was unable to get anything going in the return game. Danny Amendola gained only four yards on three punt returns. That is difficult to do when you have a long of eight yards.

Next: Patriots vs Dolphins Recap and Highlights

Dion Lewis was held in check in the return game as well. He returned a kickoff for a touchdown last week but didn’t find any such success against the Dolphins. Against Miami this week, Lewis gained only 35 yards on two attempts.