Julian Edelman

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Oct.13, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots beat the Saints 30-27. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

FOXBOROUGH – Julian Edelman's mind begins to race as soon as the ball takes flight.

First, he has to spot it in the sky and judge how quickly it is moving and how far it will travel. Then, with one eye always on the ball, he glances out through his facemask to get an idea of where his running lanes may materialize. But with the defense closing in, all he has is time for a quick glance or two to see what's unfolding before him.

If all goes according to plan, he should, at the very least, avoid getting smothered as soon as he fields the punt and have some idea of how to gain a few yards.

"The situation of the game is huge," Edelman said. "Knowing where your blocking is coming from. The trajectory of the punt is huge. The placement you're at on the field. The kind of punt you have. Those kinds of factors are huge."

The New England Patriots wide receiver has yet to hit a home run this season, but he at least got to second base during last week's game against the New York Jets. And as the 38-yard return unfolded, you could see the calculations coming together.

After he caught the ball, he used a quick double move, going left, right, left, right to make Ricky Sapp and Isaiah Trufant miss, then juked his way around three more defenders, using his blockers as picks, before being run out of bounds.

"A lot of decision-making there in a pretty short amount of time," coach Bill Belichick said. "Some of that depends on what the return is and what we're trying to set up and what we're trying to do. There's definitely a lot of judgment and decision-making involved there, no question."

Edelman has used his formula to great success throughout his career and has emerged as one of the game's preeminent punt returners. With 21 returns for 243 yards this season (11.6 per return), he has a career average of 12.8, which ties him for the NFL's all-time mark with Jack Christiansen and George McAfee.

Edelman's current average ranks fifth among players with 10 or more returns, though he and Seattle's Golden Tate are the only players on that list who have not returned one for a touchdown. After taking one back in each of the last three seasons, it seems only a matter of time before Edelman uses his speed, quickness and smarts to turn the trick.

"I would say the biggest thing for Julian is, one, he makes good decisions, and two, he's aggressive," Belichick said. "He'll take it to the edge, but for the most part, he's done a good job of not putting himself in harm's way but at the same time being aggressive and making the plays that he can make."

Sometimes making those plays means doing the unspectacular, like a return Belichick pointed to against the Jets that was likely shrugged off by those watching at home.

Edelman fielded a punt in the middle of the field that bounced twice. Some players may not have taken the risk and allowed it to be downed by the coverage team, but Edelman scooped it up and ran to the left sideline for a gain of 12 yards. It wasn't a highlight-reel play, but it saved the Patriots some yards and gave the offense a better chance for success.

"My job as a punt returner and as a unit is to get the ball in the offense's hands in good field position. And take your chances when you can and be smart back there," Edelman said. "There's going to be opportunities eventually. You don't have to hit a home run every time – singles are good."

Yes, singles are good, and when those returns are added to the 46 passes Edelman has caught for 455 yards, he's hitting for a pretty high average. It's just a matter of sitting back and waiting for that home run ball.

It may be tough to find this week, however. Miami punter Brandon Fields leads the NFL with a 44.9 net average, emerging as a weapon for the Dolphins in the never-ending battle for field position.

"He's definitely got a strong right leg, and he can boom it down there," Edelman said. "Hopefully we'll get some opportunities, and we've just got to be prepared to take advantage of those."

Edelman will certainly do his best to find whatever opportunities exist when he lowers his eyes to take a glance through that facemask.