FOXBORO — Mac Jones’ efficiency within the Patriots’ 20-17 Week 9 loss to the Commanders seemingly gained’t do something to alter anybody’s opinion in regards to the quarterback’s 2023 marketing campaign or potential future with the staff.
The Patriots beginning quarterback completed 24-of-44 for 220 yards with a landing and interception because the offense as a complete struggled to maneuver the ball exterior of two scoring drives that in the end felt extra like flukes after taking in all the efficiency as a complete.
Their first landing got here on a three-play, 25-yard drive after the Patriots recovered a Commanders fumble. Their second landing got here on a two-play, 84-yard scoring drive that ended on a 64-yard run by Rhamondre Stevenson with a gap so huge within the Commanders’ defensive position that the helicopter featured in a pre-game flyover may have match by way of it.
Jones was not significantly good in Sunday’s recreation. But he additionally may have used extra assist. Stevenson dropped Jones’ second passing try of the sport. Wide receiver Jalen Reagor had a deep shot undergo his fingers with 10:27 left within the third quarter. Rookie extensive receiver Demario Douglas couldn’t maintain onto a ball whereas falling to the turf with 9:42 left within the fourth quarter. And the Patriots’ last-minute comeback try ended prematurely when a passing goal to JuJu Smith-Schuster clanged off the receiver’s fingers and to Commanders rookie cornerback Jartavius Martin for an interception.
Jones was requested if he must be extra demanding together with his receivers.
“I think just for me, just keep communicating, right?” Jones stated. “Keep instilling confidence in everybody, let them know that I trust them, because I do, right? I wouldn’t throw it in there, fire it in there if I didn’t think they were going to catch it or get open. That’s part of the game. Sometimes it’s days like that, it’s weeks like that where it’s bang-bang plays all around the board. But at the end of the day my focus is, like I said, try to motivate everybody, keep them motivated. There’s still a lot of room to grow. I know the record is no good right now, but we’re growing together. We got a lot of young guys working hard and trying to grow.”
The Patriots QB didn’t take the complete blame for his interception on the finish of the sport, however he additionally made certain to notice that the staff wouldn’t have been within the place to make that play if Smith-Schuster hadn’t picked up two first downs earlier within the drive. Jones additionally stated he may have thrown a greater ball to guard Smith-Schuster higher.
The Patriots had been with out beginning extensive receivers Kendrick Bourne (on injured reserve with a torn ACL) and DeVante Parker (concussion) and beginning left deal with Trent Brown (ankle/knee accidents) in Week 9.
Jones was requested about his chemistry with the Patriots’ extensive receivers and in regards to the staff’s total weapons since there was a lot turnover on offense by way of 9 weeks.
Jones acknowledged these difficulties, saying it was a “great point.” But he nonetheless in the end wouldn’t throw his move catchers underneath the bus.
“It’s just a lot of different guys each week, but at the same time we have a great standard that we set,” Jones stated. “It’s just trying to go do it every play. I think there’s guys out there who can make the plays and it’s my job to get the ball to them. I have a lot of confidence in Jalen, Tyquan [Thornton], Pop [Douglas], Hunter [Henry], Mike [Gesicki], JuJu, all those guys. Obviously DP [DeVante Parker] wasn’t there today. The whole group is very much so close together and they work really hard. It’s not like we’re not on the same page. We’re really close. We’re right there. We’re just a little bit short.”
It was additionally talked about to Jones after the sport that different quarterbacks within the NFL have an opportunity for extra shot performs when requested if he appears like he must be significantly exact given the small home windows he has to throw into. He acknowledged it once more.
“That’s a great point but at the same time we’re always going to focus on us and what we can do better and the things we need to improve, what I need to improve and all that stuff,” Jones stated. “But, yeah, that’s a good question.”
Jones has definitely struggled this season. But it’s additionally truthful to level out that accidents and personnel choices have hampered the third-year professional because the Patriots began the season 2-7.
Source: www.bostonherald.com