Mike ReissESPN Staff Writer Oct 25, 2023, 6:00am ET4 minutes read
Why Stephen A. believes Mac Jones was unfairly criticized
Stephen A. Smith explains why Mac Jones is getting too caught up in the Patriots’ woes.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones had just helped engineer the most exciting comeback of his NFL career on Sunday – a 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills – and teammates kept coming up to him congratulated his turn next to CBS sideline reporter Evan Washburn during a postgame interview.
Jones shared a celebratory hug with defensive tackle Davon Godchaux as Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days” played at Gillette Stadium, followed by long-snapper Joe Cardona and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. Then, just as it seemed, there was an opportunity for Jones, To conduct the interview, safety Jabrill Peppers stormed in, followed by linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. and tight end Mike Gesicki.
They all seemed to recognize the magnitude of the moment for Jones, and their actions represented a potential springboard for the 2-5 Patriots as they head into Sunday’s road game against the 5-2 Miami Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS ).
“I think our entire football team is happy for Mac to go out and perform,” said Matthew Slater, team captain and longest-tenured player.
“It has certainly been a busy year for him, just like it has been for all of us. But it says a lot about who he is as a young man that he was able to put all that behind him and achieve what he did.” . When he plays well, it gives a boost to our entire football team.”
Jones was at his best in the most critical moments, scoring his second career win in the fourth quarter or overtime (the other was Week 5 of 2021 in Houston). He was 11 of 13 for 127 yards and two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and teammates noticed his poise under pressure.
Football may be the ultimate team game, but it’s situations like this – trailing by three points with 1:58 remaining and receiving the ball on the 25-yard line – that can define a quarterback’s career.
Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien acknowledged that the experience of leading a game-winning final drive was beneficial to Jones’ career development.
“He did a really good job. He’s only a third-year player – you’re not talking about a player who’s been there for 12 years – so every game is a learning situation for him. “Certainly he has a lot of experience from it.” “In his rookie year and last year, but he’s still a young player,” he said Tuesday.
“The guys around him have done a great job and I think that’s really, really important. It’s a team game. As a team, we overcame some adversity in the game and were able to come back. “He got us into the right plays” on the final drive.
Jones, 25, suggested a forward-looking theme after the win, saying: “It’s just a crumb. Just keep picking up those crumbs and you’ll end up with a whole loaf of bread.”
It might be harder to produce similar results against a Dolphins defense that ranks fourth in the NFL in sacks per pass play (24 total) under first-year coordinator Vic Fangio. But as reflected in the scene on the field Sunday, players are rallying around him and media chatter about Jones potentially losing his starting job has quieted down for now.
“He brought great energy. He was very efficient. He took care of the football. He gave us a chance to win,” Slater said. “You love seeing that from a young man who has been through so much this season – continuing to fight the good fight and being rewarded for it. We want to continue this trend in the future.”
“That’s what we expect from him,” linebacker Jahlani Tavai added. “We know what type of player he is capable of.”