Patriots Special Teams Scores Two Touchdowns In Blowout Win Over Chargers
BOSTON (CBS) -- New England's special teams unit came out to play on Sunday. The Patriots scored not one, but two special teams touchdowns in the team's 45-0 blowout win over the Chargers.
New England's special teams unit accounted for 14 of the team's 28 first-half points on Sunday, as Gunner Olszewski and Devin McCourty each scored special teams touchdowns.
First up, it was a 70-yard punt return touchdown by Olszewski early in the second quarter. After the Patriots defense forced a three-and-out on L.A.'s second possession, Olszewski got some great blocks from Matthew Slater, Rashod Berry and Donte Moncrief and took the punt to the house.
It was Olszewski's first career touchdown, and it was the team's first punt return for a touchdown since 2014. The score gave New England a 14-0 lead at the time.
"I always want to go out and do something with the ball when I get it. Today, it happened right," he said of the return. "The blocking was good, I hit the line like I was supposed to and have been doing in practice. Sometimes things fall like that."
In true Patriot fashion, his mind was on the next play after scoring his first career touchdown.
"My first thought was I have to go cover a kickoff. So I better catch by breathe and go cover a kickoff," he said.
After having a punt return called back due to an illegal blindside block last week -- a questionable one at that -- Oszlewski said Sunday's return felt great.
"That was tough last week. All the guys say that counts as my first. To me, our guys have returned two punts for touchdowns this year," he said. "Not our fault it got called back. The game is getting soft."
One special teams score wasn't enough, so the Patriots tacked on another just before halftime. Michael Badgley lined up for a 58-yard attempt at the end of the half, but it was rejected by Cody Davis. McCourty scooped it up and sped his way 44 yards to the end zone for his second touchdown of the season.
It was New England's first blocked field goal for a touchdown since (you guessed it) 2014, and it gave the team a 28-0 advantage at halftime.
Sunday marked the third time under Bill Belichick that the Patriots have scored two special teams touchdowns. They also did it in 2018 -- off a 95-yard kickoff return by Cordarrelle Patterson and a 29-yard punt block returned by Kyle Van Noy -- and in 2010 -- off a 103-yard kickoff return by Brandon Tate and a 35-yard blocked field goal return by Kyle Arrington.
Olszewski added another big return, taking a punt 61 yards down to the L.A. 17-yard line early in the fourth quarter to set up a New England field goal. Jake Bailey had a big day as well, pinning L.A. down within their own 20 on three separate occasions.
Belichick must be very pleased with his team -- especially his special teams unit -- after such a monster first half in Los Angeles.
