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New England Patriots: 5 observations from a putrid loss in Pittsburgh

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass under pressure from T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on December 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass under pressure from T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on December 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
New England Patriots Ryan Allen (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Special teams get special

There wasn’t much to embrace for the New England Patriots in Sunday’s 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But one special teams play may go down as one of the top highlights of the 2018 NFL season.  With 8:17 left in the half and the Patriots trailing 14-7, Ryan Allen punted the ball from his own 47-yard line down to the 12.  The ball then proceeded to bounced towards the end zone where Jonathan Jones started some acrobatics by leaping into the end zone and batting the ball up in the air with just one hand.

His effort was then mimicked by Rex Burkhead who leaped over the goal line to fling the football back to Ramon Humber.  Both acrobatic efforts led to the Patriots downing the ball on the Steelers 1-yard line.

What seemed like a momentum shifter at the time led to the defense allowing the Steelers to drive the ball, but the play itself showed just how special the special teams unit has been the last couple weeks.  Now if the offense and defensive line can find its flavor, this may not be a lost season for the 2018 New England Patriots.

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