EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — There were a few weeks when some of the more hysterical New England Patriots fan wondered why Danny Amendola still was on the team.
Wonder no longer.
Amendola stepped in admirably Sunday for a concussed Julian Edelman, taking over the injured wideout’s role as the Patriots’ primary slot/”Z” receiver. Without Amendola, the already stagnant Patriots offense would’ve had even more trouble moving the ball. They totaled just 231 yards on offense against a stout New York Jets defense.
“We just wanted to come in and make as many plays as we can,” Amendola said after the Patriots’ playoff-bye-clinching 17-16 road win. “Jules is a great player. Not having him out there — it is what it is but just wanted to make as many plays as we could.”
Amendola accounted for 63 yards on eight catches and 11 targets. He also returned five kicks for 91 yards and three punts for 63 yards, including a 39-yarder that set up the Patriots’ first touchdown.
“It was fun,” Amendola said about his performance. “I had a fun time out there. It was a good deal.”
Amendola went into the game averaging just .48 yards per route run — the fourth lowest among receivers with at least 230 routes since Pro Football Focus started tracking the stat in 2007. That number is bound to go up after Sunday’s performance. Amendola entered the game with just 15 catches for 113 yards, as there seems to be a set limit of production that the Patriots can get out of him and Edelman.
Amendola’s most important catch of the game came on a third-and-7 play in the fourth quarter, when the Patriots were trying to bleed out the clock. Amendola converted the first down on a 7-yard catch, which stood even after a challenge by Jets head coach Rex Ryan.
“It was close,” Amendola said. “I thought the spot was going to be close. It came down to a review. Apparently it was enough to get a first down, so we’ll take it.”
The Patriots now are 12-3 and would clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win next week or a Denver Broncos loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. Still, it has been a tough season for Amendola, who has seen an increased role on special teams with his decreased presence on offense.
If Sunday’s performance proved anything, though, it’s that Tom Brady still has trust in Amendola, who actually looked like he would be the quarterback’s go-to receiver when he first signed with New England last season.
“He did a great job, and he’s been really looking for this opportunity,” Brady said. “I thought he did a great job in there in the role that he played. He’s a very good player for us. He did a good job returning some kicks and punts.”
But has the undersized receiver ever lost trust in himself?
“Never doubt yourself,” Amendola said smiling. “Hell no.”
Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
