2021 NFL Net Average in Opponent Territory Leaders
Net average counting only punts that started on the opponent's side of the 50-yard line. There is little room to work with, and every touchback costs 20 net yards, so this is the hardest place to punt well.
Only punters with enough such punts are ranked. In 2021, Rigoberto Sanchez (35.1) led NFL punters in net average in opponent territory, ahead of Michael Palardy (35.0) and Blake Gillikin (33.8). 8 punters qualify (minimum 12 punts from the opponent's 50 or closer). The median qualified punter had 32.4.
Final 2021 regular-season numbers, updated October 23, 2026.
| Rk | Player | Team | Net (opp. 50) | Punts | Avg | Net | In 20 | In 20 % | TB % | FC % | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigoberto Sanchez | Indianapolis Colts | 35.1 | 59 | 44.5 | 39.7 | 24 | 41% | 2% | 25% | +4.4 |
| 2 | Michael Palardy | Miami Dolphins | 35.0 | 78 | 44.7 | 40.1 | 31 | 40% | 6% | 35% | +3.8 |
| 3 | Blake Gillikin | New Orleans Saints | 33.8 | 83 | 47.7 | 42.0 | 29 | 35% | 5% | 22% | −0.1 |
| 4 | Pressley Harvin | Pittsburgh Steelers | 32.4 | 70 | 42.6 | 38.0 | 25 | 36% | 4% | 27% | −10.7 |
| 5 | Michael Dickson | Seattle Seahawks | 32.3 | 83 | 46.9 | 41.7 | 40 | 48% | 12% | 27% | +8.4 |
| 6 | Cameron Johnston | Houston Texans | 32.1 | 88 | 46.7 | 41.7 | 37 | 42% | 5% | 25% | +12.9 |
| 7 | Pat O'Donnell | Chicago Bears | 32.0 | 62 | 46.2 | 38.5 | 19 | 31% | 8% | 21% | −1.4 |
| 8 | Riley Dixon | New York Giants | 30.0 | 74 | 44.4 | 39.5 | 24 | 32% | 8% | 20% | −8.1 |
Net Average in Opponent Territory in other seasons: 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
More 2021 NFL punter leaderboards
- Punts
- Punting Yards
- Gross Punting Average
- Net Punting Average
- Punts Inside the 20
- Inside the 20 Percentage
- Longest Punts
- Punt Touchbacks
- Fair Catches Forced
- Punts Downed
- Punts Out of Bounds
- Punts Returned
- Punt Return Yards Allowed
- Average Punt Return Allowed
- Blocked Punts
- Punt Points Added
- Punt Points per 100 Punts
- Fair Catch Percentage
- Punt Touchback Percentage
- Touchbacks Avoided (STOP Rank)
- Punts Out of Bounds Percentage
- Punts Downed Percentage
- Punt Return Percentage
- Return Yards Allowed per Punt
- Opponent Starting Field Position
- Punts Inside the 10
- Punts of 50+ Yards
- 50+ Yard Punt Percentage
- Inside-20 to Touchback Ratio
- Net Average in Cold Weather
- Net Average in Wind
Other 2021 NFL rankings
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