New England Patriots

The Chargers handed the Patriots 2 points on a disastrous punt return

New England Patriots' Jonathan Jones and Brandon King tackle Los Angeles Chargers punt returner Travis Benjamin in the end zone for a safety. AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

By Hayden Bird

Less than a minute to read

The Patriots’ special teams unit was dominant early in Sunday’s clash with the Chargers. Amid an array of effective kickoff and punt coverages, one play stood out, because it resulted in a safety.

Chargers returner Travis Benjamin caught Ryan Allen’s punt before briefly fumbling it. He then picked it up and inexplicably decided to circle back toward his own end zone. A swarm of Patriots tacklers pounced on Benjamin as he desperately tried to escape the Chargers’ goal line.

The officials agreed that it was a safety, arguably two of the easiest points the Patriots will score in 2017:

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