FOXBORO — Patriots quarterback Mac Jones stated throughout coaching camp that he made it a purpose to have extra enjoyable enjoying soccer this season.
Winning and enjoyable often go hand in hand for a soccer crew, so the Patriots aren’t off to a fantastic begin in that division after dropping to the Eagles. But Jones, who held himself accountable for Week 1’s end result, stated Wednesday that he’s going to take pleasure in refining a side of his sport that has been missing by means of the primary two-plus years of his profession: success on the finish of video games.
“Yeah, I think it’s just like you said, working in practice,” Jones stated about making enhancements in two-minute conditions. “We’ve executed very well in follow and simply carrying it over to the sport and never placing an excessive amount of on a sure play. Just play every play one play at a time and actually, we’ve already talked about what we are able to do higher.
“And by just going out there and trying to do it is a challenge but that’s the fun part about the game. You get a chance to learn from your mistakes and then go out there, and it’s gonna come up again. Could be this weekend, could be down the road. So you never know what’s gonna come up but definitely want to improve in the area.”
Jones has only one fourth-quarter comeback and game-winning drive in his first 32 NFL begins. It got here in 2021 in opposition to a Texans crew that completed 4-13. The Patriots, who had been favored by 8 factors, had been down 22-9 early within the third quarter. After slowly chipping away on the deficit, the Patriots went on a 15-play, 84-yard drive, ending with a game-winning subject purpose with 17 seconds left. Kicker Nick Folk hit two 52-yard subject objectives within the sport.
Overall, Jones was 23-of-30 for 231 yards with one landing and one interception in that sport.
He’s had different alternatives to shut out video games with Sunday’s loss and final season’s sport in opposition to the Vikings serving because the strongest examples.
The Patriots play one other former Alabama quarterback this week when Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins come to Foxboro for “Sunday Night Football.” Tagovailoa has already loved late-game success with 5 fourth-quarter comebacks and 7 game-winning drives in 35 profession begins. He had two fourth-quarter comebacks and 4 game-winning drives in his first two NFL seasons. He already put collectively a fourth-quarter comeback and game-winning drive Sunday within the Dolphins’ 36-34 win over the Chargers.
Down 34-30 with 3:53 remaining within the sport, Tagovailoa led the Dolphins on an eight-play, 75-yard drive that culminated with a 4-yard passing landing to broad receiver Tyreek Hill. Tagovailoa hit Hill on a 47-yard bomb with an off-platform throw earlier within the offensive collection.
Patriots followers, after all, are used to late-game heroics from their quarterbacks. Tom Brady put collectively 47 game-winning drives and mounted 36 fourth-quarter comebacks with the Patriots. It’s unfair to check anybody to Brady, however the expectation exists.
Down by 5 factors Sunday, Jones and the Patriots had two alternatives to mount a game-winning drive in opposition to the Eagles. They went backward on the primary drive, beginning with 3:28 remaining within the fourth quarter, because of a sack (Jones took the blame for it) and a delay of sport penalty from the QB. The Patriots finally went -2 yards on 4 performs earlier than a turnover on downs.
They went 36 yards on 9 performs with a drive beginning with 1:57 left within the fourth quarter. That collection additionally ended with a turnover on downs after the crew confronted fourth-and-11 after one other sack when rookie broad receiver Kayshon Boutte couldn’t get each ft in bounds on Jones’ closing go of the sport.
“I think Coach O’Brien does a great job every week just telling me what I need to get better at,” Jones stated. “And I think communication is very open. So, I know what I need to work on. We know what we need to work on together. And from there, we’re gonna come up with a plan so that I play better in that situation. And he’s calling great plays. Called a great game last week, and it’s been a tough situation. This week, hopefully, we can get into a rhythm.”
The Eagles had been favored by 4 factors Sunday within the Patriots loss at residence. The Dolphins are favored by 2.5 factors after they play the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night time.
Jones is simply 2-12 in his profession when the Patriots are underdogs. His two wins got here throughout his rookie season in wins in opposition to the Chargers and Bills. He was 18-of-35 for 217 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions within the win in opposition to the Chargers. He tried simply three passes within the Patriots Week 18 win over the Bills when wind gusts reached upwards of fifty MPH.
So, it’s truthful to say that Jones doesn’t have a signature win on his Patriots resume by means of 32 video games. Even that win over the Chargers in 2021 featured a pick-six from Patriots security Adrian Phillips.
A win over the Dolphins on Sunday night time would qualify. And Jones did have spectacular moments in Sunday’s loss. His pick-six on the Patriots’ opening drive put the crew in a gap. But his 35-of-54, 316-yard, three-touchdown efficiency, together with the crew’s defensive effort, made the crew aggressive in opposition to the reigning NFC champions.
But he couldn’t end. And he’ll have to win shut video games for the Patriots to win sufficient to smell the playoffs this season. For that to occur, Jones has to take the subsequent step in gotta-have-it conditions in opposition to good groups.
Source: www.bostonherald.com