Julian Edelman credits his hot streak to opportunity, and some other unnamed factor

By Sam Benson Smith 1/31/2017

Halfway through the 2016 season, Julian Edelman was at a crossroads. He had been held scoreless through the first seven games of the season, was yet to crack one hundred yards receiving in a single outing, and was averaging an abysmal 44.8 yards per game, more than 30 yards below his 2015 average.

One may try to argue that missing Tom Brady for the first quarter of the season may have been to blame, but Edelman’s most efficient games during the slump came during Week 1 and Week 2, with Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett under center.

Enter the bye week, exit ineffective Edelman. Like a flipped switch, number eleven returned to career form in Week 10, and never looked back, jacking up his level of play all the way through the AFC Championship game. He put his slump behind him, and blew his career yards per game average out of the water, registering an average of 100.3 yards per game.

Edelman attributed the resurgence, at least initially, to a void left by injury.

“I think it was just a lot about opportunity. I think we lost Gronk around that time, so I think my number was getting called a little more. More opportunity you get the more opportunity you’re gonna have to do that kind of stuff. That’s what I can explain,” Edelman then paused and smiled, acknowledging his company line, “Without getting in trouble.”

Considering how tight-lipped members of Belichick teams are supposed to be, even the slightest hint of discontentment with one’s offensive role is something of note.

Over the past ten games, Edelman has averaged 12 targets per game, a significant increase from the 7.8 he was averaging during his eight game slump. Something seems to have happened during the bye week.