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New England Patriots 4 Down Review: Week 4 @ Buffalo

By Michael Perry

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots runs the ball after making a catch during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots runs the ball after making a catch during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 29: Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown after a blocked punt during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 29: Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown after a blocked punt during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

4th Down: Limit special teams blunders

New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski went 1/1 in field goals but again missed an extra point that ultimately could have cost the Patriots the game. Luckily, the defense stepped up from whistle to whistle, and that missed extra point did not come back to haunt the team at the end of the action.

Aside from Gostkowski, that was the only negative aspect to the special teams on Sunday. Jake Bailey continued to be a vital part of the team punting the ball. He averaged 48.1 yards per punt, kicked the ball nine times, and had a game-long of 61 yards on one particular punt.

Week 4 Stock Watch - Patriots beat Bills in divisional showdown. dark. Next

Also, the coverage on special teams stepped up in a big way Sunday with a blocked punt that led to a New England Patriots touchdown. JC Jackson blocked the punt and Matthew Slater picked up the loose ball for an easy touchdown. It was Slater’s first career touchdown – a remarkable feat, considering the 12-year veteran has been to seven Pro Bowls with New England, and yet he’d previously never scored a touchdown.

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