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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Daniel Blackham

New England Patriots star's pre-game ritual caught on camera as NFL fans baffled

New England Patriots star Matthew Judon was caught on camera conducting a bizarre pre-game ritual ahead of Sunday night's game against the New York Jets.

In footage posted by the official Patriots Twitter account, Judon was filmed walking around the end zone kicking down the various pylons marking the field. Judon seemed to be getting warm as he strolled around the edge of the pitch two hours before kick-off.

Sunday's game wasn't the first time he's done it, however, as he was also spotted doing the exact same thing against the Indianapolis Colts on November 6. Last time out, Judon completed three sacks against the Colts as the Patriots dominated in a 28-3 win.

Judon is having the season of his career, and is on course to be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year if he continues as he has started.

The 30-year-old is currently leading the NFL in sacks, having got to the opposition quarterback 11.5 times already this season.

He's completed 35 tackles for an impressive Patriots defence that has stepped up when the offence has struggled.

Matthew Judon was filmed knocking over all the pylons marking out the end zone (@Patriots/Twitter)

Fans were left perplexed by Judon's actions, however, while some opposition fans jokingly called for him to get suspended for the season.

One rival supporter quipped: "$10million fine and suspended for the rest of the year. He's a menace and must be stopped." One fan claimed it was "low class" before another pointed out it was Judon's home field at Gillette Stadium.

Sunday's game against the Jets is seen as a crucial game in the Patriots' season. Going into the game with a record of 5-4, Bill Belichick can't afford any more slip-ups if he is even to have a hope of seeing his side into the post-season.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's game, Judon opened up on how the Patriots planned to to get to Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. He said: "We’ve got the same people rushing. Nobody different. We’ve got to go out there and just do it. It’s going to be on us.

"We’ve got to get him off his makes and disrupt his timing and his rhythm. That’s hard, because he can make us miss as you’ve seen. We had a lot of pressures and a lot of QB hits but we only had two sacks.

"He’s very good at eluding and things like that, so we’ve just got to keep working."

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