For much of the past two decades, the New England Patriots were the NFL’s standard bearers.
Winning six Super Bowls between 2002-19, the Patriots have fallen on hard times since quarterback Tom Brady decided to leave the team and sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
Their quarterback play has suffered greatly, and even things that have nothing to do with Brady have gotten worse.
In the third quarter of Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Patriots had a punt blocked, marking the fifth time it has happened to the team since the start of the 2021 season.
The blocked punt led to a Steelers touchdown, cutting New England’s lead to 21-18.
Blocked punt alert 🚨
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSnfvVk pic.twitter.com/iHiJQ1VVLN
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 8, 2023
From 2008-20, New England had just four punts blocked, per Chris Mason of Mass Live.
Patriots punting
Punts blocked 2021-23: 5.
Punts blocked 2008-20: 4.— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) December 8, 2023
Fans on social media had plenty to say, trying to find the root of the issues.
One fan pointed out that special teams coordinator Cam Achord has been with the team since 2020, right around when the problems started.
Cam Achord special teams coordinator: 2020-present https://t.co/R1ziZyGce3
— Kyle Burlingame (@Kyle_Burlingame) December 8, 2023
Another fan blamed Achord as well, saying, “It’s really had to be looked into how Achord hasn’t been fired at this point.”
It’s really had to be looked into how Achord hasn’t been fired at this point. https://t.co/nDp9PPgQAd
— Kyle Horvath (@Zavehi) December 8, 2023
Another fan responded to the Patriots’ poor second-half play by saying, “An INT on one drive…then a blocked punt the next? These are the 2023 Pats I know”
An INT on one drive…then a blocked punt the next? These are the 2023 Pats I know 🫤
— FitzyGFY 🍺 (brew checkmark) (@FitzyGFY) December 8, 2023
Another fan commended Steelers safety for blocking the punt, something Killebrew has become quite good at, saying, “Miles Killebrew has four blocked punts in three seasons with the Steelers. Insane.”
Miles Killebrew has four blocked punts in three seasons with the Steelers. Insane. #Steelers
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) December 8, 2023
[Pittsburgh Steelers] [Chris Mason]
