Bill Belichick’s “never-before-seen” play to block Dolphins FG will change the NFL

The special teams unit of the New England Patriots pulled off a “never-before-seen” play to block a field goal by Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders on Sunday Night Football at Gillette Stadium. Bill Belichick will get all the glory for this gem of a call.

Patriots safety Brenden Schooler was set in motion, a rarity on defense, and Kyle Duggers recovered the ball for New England on the opponent’s side of midfield. The broadcast announcers were quick to mention how that play will change the NFL.

Belichick, 71, is a defensive mastermind, but Patriots special teams coordinator Cameron Achord might also deserve some of the credit.

Cris Colinsworth, the NBA broadcast announcer, quickly mentioned how high school and college teams will be looking at that play to recreate on the field.

The special teams play will change the NFL and football at every stage moving forward, but that might not be a good thing.

Retired NFL defensive end JJ Watt took to X, previously known as Twitter, to react to the blocked field goal. He believes it’s going to lead to many penalties.

“About to see a whole lot of encroachment penalties when everyone starts trying to run that ‘motion’ on field goal block and they mistime the snap or the kicking team goes on two,” Watt tweeted. “But that was extremely clever and executed to perfection.”

Watt, 34, was still impressed by the play despite warning others who might attempt it to not get carried away.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, but something that doesn’t work, either. Belichick and company are struggling and currenty losing 24-10 late in the fourth quarter.