The 2020 Patriots season can be classified as a disappointment with the team finishing 7-9, their worst record since 2000.
And it was hard to find positive things to take away, as it's not like the team had a young core of players that were able to get valuable experience. Heck, it doesn't even know who its quarterback will be in 2021.
But, there was major positive from the season, although it does speak to the 7-9 record.
According to Rick Gosselin, a well-respected reporter who puts out special teams rankings every season, the Patriots had the best special teams unit in the league.
New England has finished in the top-10 14 times under Bill Belichick, including nine top-5 finishes. A lot of credit goes to Cameron Achord, who was in his first year leading the unit.
“It’s the investment that coach (Belichick) puts into special teams at practice, in the meetings,” Achord said. “It’s not just a third phase. It’s an equal phase. Anybody we need for the units we will use. We have high expectations. We push the guys to meet them and they respond very well. It starts at the top with the coach and goes on to the players, the veteran guys that we have, who pass it on to the young guys. That’s what allows you to continually do this at a high level.”
The Patriots had three members of the unit as All-Pros -- Matthew Slater, Jake Bailey and Gunner Olszewski.