FOXBORO — DeVante Parker’s face is now not on a milk carton.
After making only one catch for 9 yards within the first two video games, which didn’t do a lot to silence his critics, Parker lastly broke out in opposition to Baltimore.
Targeted 10 instances by Mac Jones through the 37-26 loss to the Ravens, the extensive receiver pulled in 5 catches for 156 yards. He was three yards shy of his career-best.
Parker’s catches went for 31, 40, 36, 25, and 24 yards. He was explosive after which some — mainly the kind of receiver the Patriots thought they have been getting after they traded for him from the Miami Dolphins through the offseason.
“Mac was just putting the ball in the right spot,” Parker mentioned when requested about his breakout efficiency. “I’m just in the right area at the right time. I’m just coming down with it, making plays. Just doing what I can to help the team.”
The Patriots have been with out Jakobi Meyers, Jones’ favourite goal. Meyers has been coping with a sore knee, so the quarterback needed to depend on different targets to get the job achieved.
Parker led the best way, with Kendrick Bourne (4 catches for 58 yards), Rhamondre Stevens (4 catches, 28 yards) and Jonnu Smith (4 catches, 25 yards) additionally chipping in.
On the very first drive, Parker caught a slant over the center for the 31-yard acquire. That drive stalled, nevertheless. On the Patriots’ second drive, Jones utilized play-action, and with the Ravens approaching a blitz, the Patriots quarterback lofted an ideal cross to Parker, who as soon as acquire blew previous Jalyn Armour-Davis in man protection.
That was a 40-yard reception which led to a subject objective. Two of Parker’s different catches led to touchdowns.
Asked if something modified to get him going, Parker didn’t chunk on that exact line of questioning.
“Nothing was different,” mentioned Parker. “I felt good, like I’ve always been. When they call my plays, I just have to go out and make the plays.”
His teammates have been comfortable to see Parker lastly present what he’s able to doing, and maybe, silence among the critics.
“With or without the ball, I know what kind of player he is. I practice with him every day,” mentioned fellow receiver Nelson Agholor. “And that was an instance for everyone else to see that he’s a dynamic participant.
“He wins his matchups, he makes great plays. I’m happy he had that type of game today so those that didn’t believe can see, he can go.”
On the unfavourable facet, Jones might need tried to power the ball into Parker just a little too usually, attempting to make the most of their success. Two balls focused for Parker have been intercepted, one occurring in the long run zone within the fourth quarter.
Jones was pressured and threw it up towards Parker in the long run zone. Ravens nook Marlon Humphrey picked it off for a touchback.
“I’ll just say there was a miscommunication on that,” Parker mentioned of the tip zone try. “It’s just something we’ll fix.”
The different one got here within the third quarter, with Jones forcing a cross over the center that was intercepted by Ravens linebacker Josh Byrnes.
That makes 4 picks thrown by Jones when focusing on Parker. At least on Sunday, Parker did his finest to make up for the miscues.
Source: www.bostonherald.com