Similar to the New England Patriots’ last matchup against the Los Angeles Rams — it was full of punts and difficult to watch.
Except this time, the Rams had the upper hand and it was only the Patriots punting. Sean McVay’s Rams had a 8-4 record heading into the game and one of the league’s best defenses. Cam Newton began the game with a crucial pick-six and eventually was benched for Jarrett Stidham. Newton threw for less than 120 yards in the air for the third consecutive game and the rush attack was shut down.
This led to six punts for 310 yards and an average of 51.7 — with four of them inside the 20-yard line for Jake Bailey. Patriots fans justifiably asked the question, is he the best player on the team?
Gunner and Jake Bailey are literally the best things on this team
— Mike Bert (@MikeBertoncini) December 11, 2020
The fact that you could make an argument that Jake Bailey is the best player on the team shows how different of a team the Patriots are now
— Chris Sliwa (@Chris_Sliwa7) December 11, 2020
.@jakebailey___ can punt it with the best of them #GoPats
— Dave Sison (@davesison) December 11, 2020
Patriots players ranked from best to worst:
1. Joe Cardona
2. Jake Bailey
3. Nick folk
4-52. Doesn’t Matter
53. Cam Newton— Zach Creeden (@zachfromtrack) December 11, 2020
So what you’re telling me is that Nick Folk, Jake Bailey and Gunner Olszewski are 3 of the best players on this team?
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) December 11, 2020
One bright spot for Patriots tonight (and all year) has been Jake Bailey, the Santa Fe Christian alum. Just uncorked a career-long 71-yard punt, his third effort tonight downed inside 20. His net average this year is over 45 yards, No. 2 in NFL.
— Jay Posner (@sdutPosner) December 11, 2020
Jake Bailey is probably one of the Patriots’ top five players this seaeon. Maybe even top three.
— Nicholas W. Goss (@NickGossNBCSB) December 11, 2020
Thank god for Gunner and Jake Bailey….am I right? Sheeesh.
— Curt Field (@curtfield13) December 11, 2020
Jake Bailey is the pats best player
— marc (@marc_digirolamo) December 11, 2020
Thank you Jarrett Stidham and Jake Bailey for giving some semblance of hope in this game
— RW (@rwlunch) December 11, 2020
Jake Bailey is the only player that excites me on the Patriots because of his terrific punting that changes field position! #GoPats
— Tadi Abedje (@realTadiAbedje) December 11, 2020
