Special Teams Spotlight in Weekly Awards for the New England Patriots

In the NFL, weekly awards often shine a light on star quarterbacks, dominant pass-rushers, or explosive wide receivers—but for the New England Patriots, this week’s honors took a deliberate turn toward a unit that’s long been the backbone of their success: special teams. The Patriots announced their team-specific Weekly Awards on Wednesday, and for the first time this season, every major special teams role was recognized—from the punt returner to the kickoff coverage unit, and even the long snapper. This wasn’t just a routine acknowledgment; it was a celebration of how special teams have swung critical games for the Patriots in their 8-5 season, turning field position battles into wins and quiet contributors into unsung heroes. Special Teams Spotlight in Weekly Awards for the New England Patriots isn’t just about trophies; it’s about honoring the often-overlooked unit that embodies the Patriots’ “all hands on deck” culture.

Special Teams Spotlight in Weekly Awards for the New England Patriots begins with the headliner of the awards: punt returner Marcus Jones, named Special Teams Player of the Week for his game-changing performance against the Buffalo Bills. In Sunday’s 24-17 win, Jones turned a third-quarter punt into a 62-yard touchdown—breaking three tackles, cutting across the field, and outrunning the Bills’ coverage unit to give the Patriots a 17-10 lead. It was Jones’ second punt return touchdown of the season, and it came at a pivotal moment: the Bills had just tied the game, and momentum was shifting their way. “Marcus didn’t just score a touchdown—he stole the momentum back for us,” special teams coordinator Cameron Achord said. “He has that rare ability to turn a routine play into something extraordinary. When he lines up to return a punt, the entire team knows something special could happen.” Jones, who also recorded three tackles on punt coverage, became the first Patriots player since Matthew Slater (2016) to win Special Teams Player of the Week twice in a single season. His award was a nod to both his athleticism and his work ethic—teammates noted he stays after practice every day to refine his return angles and study coverage schemes.

A critical part of Special Teams Spotlight in Weekly Awards for the New England Patriots is the recognition of the Patriots’ kickoff coverage unit, named Special Teams Unit of the Week for their dominance against the Bills. Led by linebacker Jahlani Tavai and safety Adrian Phillips, the unit held Bills kick returner Nyheim Hines to an average of just 18.3 yards per return—well below his season average of 24.1 yards. On one key fourth-quarter kickoff, Tavai and Phillips combined to tackle Hines at the Bills’ 15-yard line, forcing Buffalo to start a drive deep in their own territory. The unit also didn’t allow a single penalty, a testament to their discipline and focus. “Kickoff coverage doesn’t get the glory, but it’s one of the most important parts of special teams,” Achord explained. “If you can pin a team deep, you make their offense work harder to score. Our guys did that all day—they tackled well, they stayed in their lanes, and they didn’t give the Bills any easy yards.” The award marked the first time the kickoff coverage unit has been honored this season, and it came after weeks of incremental improvements: the unit has dropped its average yards per return allowed by 5.2 yards since Week 8, a shift Achord credits to “better communication and attention to detail.”

Special Teams Spotlight in Weekly Awards for the New England Patriots is particularly meaningful for the New England Patriots’ long snapper Joe Cardona, who won the Special Teams Unsung Hero Award for his consistent performance all season. Cardona, a 10-year veteran and Navy reservist, has handled every long snap for punts, field goals, and extra points this season without a single miscue—a streak that spans 13 games and over 150 snaps. Against the Bills, he delivered a perfect snap on all four of Nick Folk’s field goal attempts (three of which were made, including a 48-yarder) and six punts. “Long snappers are the unsung heroes of special teams—you only notice them when something goes wrong, but Joe makes sure nothing ever does,” Achord said. “He’s the glue that holds our kicking game together. Whether it’s a high-pressure field goal at the end of the half or a routine punt on third down, Joe delivers every time.” For the New England Patriots, Cardona’s award is a reminder of the team’s commitment to excellence in every role—even the ones that don’t show up on highlight reels. Cardona, who rarely speaks to the media, humbly credited his teammates: “I just do my job. The kickers and punters make it easy—they’re the ones who put points on the board.”

Another key angle of Special Teams Spotlight in Weekly Awards for the New England Patriots is how these awards reflect the Patriots’ historical focus on special teams excellence. Under Bill Belichick, the Patriots built a reputation as a team that won games through special teams—whether it was Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning field goals in Super Bowls or Slater’s 10 Pro Bowl nods as a special teams ace. This season, current head coach Jerod Mayo has continued that tradition, investing time and resources into special teams and emphasizing its importance to the team’s success. “Special teams can win or lose you three to four games a season,” Mayo said when announcing the awards. “We don’t treat it as a ‘third unit’—we treat it as an equal part of our team, right alongside offense and defense. These awards are a way to show our guys that we see their work and we appreciate it.” For the New England Patriots, this focus has paid off: the team ranks top-10 in the NFL in punt return average (9.8 yards) and field goal percentage (87.5%), and bottom-10 in average yards allowed on kickoff returns. These numbers aren’t a coincidence—they’re the result of deliberate strategy and consistent effort from every player on the special teams unit.

Finally, Special Teams Spotlight in Weekly Awards for the New England Patriots wraps up with the impact of these awards on team morale and the Patriots’ playoff push. With three games left in the regular season and the Patriots fighting for a higher AFC playoff seed, recognizing special teams success is a way to keep the unit motivated and focused. Jones, Cardona, and the kickoff coverage unit all noted that the awards have given them extra energy in practice this week. “It feels good to be recognized, but we’re not done,” Jones said. “We have more games to win, and special teams will play a big part in that.” Achord echoed that sentiment, adding that the awards are “a starting point, not a finish line.” For the New England Patriots, the weekly special teams honors are more than just a pat on the back—they’re a call to action. As the team heads into a critical Week 17 matchup with the Miami Dolphins, special teams will once again be in the spotlight: a well-timed punt return, a clutch field goal, or a stop on kickoff coverage could be the difference between a playoff berth and a missed opportunity. Special Teams Spotlight in Weekly Awards for the New England Patriots ultimately reveals this truth: in New England, winning isn’t just about the stars—it’s about every player, in every role, playing their best. And this week’s awards are a testament to the fact that the Patriots’ special teams unit is doing just that.