We finally got our hands on the all-22 film (don't ask; no thanks to the NFL which has bungled its American product), so we're now able to put Mac Jones' play in better context now that we can see all the routes, the coverage and how pressure might have affected him.
Let's just say, Jones is way ahead of most rookie starters.
It's just our opinion, but we grade passes on whether it was a good decision (best option available), minus decision (better options available), neutral (debatable) or no-decision (pre-determined screen or quick pass). We also provide film analysis on key sequences to explain our decision and what options Jones may or may not have had.
We worked backward, so here is the Jets review, and it's now unlocked so you can get the gist of what we do here at BSJ.
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New England Patriots at 15:00
1-10-MIA 30 (12:32) M.Jones sacked at MIA 39 for -9 yards. FUMBLES [C.Wilkins], recovered by NE-J.Smith at MIA 43.
No decision. Jones had no chance as the Dolphins brought a corner blitz and Jonnu Smith didn't pick it up.
3-21-MIA 41 (11:27) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short middle to J.White to MIA 37 for 4 yards (J.McCourty; E.Rowe) [S.Eguavoen].
Good read. Might have had Kendrick Bourne on a deep cross, but the protection did not hold up long enough. Jones did well to get a completion and a few yards.
FIRST DRIVE: 1-0-0, 1 no-decision.
New England Patriots at 5:29, (1st play from scrimmage 5:22)
1-10-NE 26 (5:22) M.Jones pass short left to N.Agholor to NE 33 for 7 yards (By.Jones, B.Scarlett).
Good read. Took easy money with corner in off coverage to get good first-down yardage.
3-1-NE 35 (4:13) M.Jones pass short right to J.Meyers pushed ob at NE 39 for 4 yards (X.Howard). P3
No decision. Called sprint-out to pick up the first down.
(3:40) M.Jones pass short right to R.Stevenson to NE 48 for 9 yards (E.Rowe). FUMBLES (E.Rowe), RECOVERED by MIA-Z.Sieler at NE 48.
Neutral. While Jones was under duress, there was room for him to buy time and climb the pocket (Jakobi Meyers was somewhat open on an in-cut) and get a few more yards. But not a terrible decision, that's for sure.
SECOND DRIVE: 1-0-1, 1 no-decision.
New England Patriots at 2:13
1-10-NE 48 (:08) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to J.Smith to MIA 44 for 8 yards (By.Jones).
Good read. Had a few options but 8 yards on first down is a good start.
3-2-MIA 44 (14:22) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to J.Meyers to MIA 39 for 5 yards (J.Baker). P6
Minus read. First minus of the game, although not much has happened to this point. The Dolphins only rushed three, so time was not an issue. The Dolphins played a two-deep, six-under zone and it appeared Jones had deep options in Hunter Henry (middle of the field), James White (left) and Kendrick Bourne (right). Jones took a checkdown to Meyers. This is also one of those plays that led me to wonder about Jones' height and how much he can't see (and I readily admit I have no idea if this also goes for taller pocket QBs ... I've never studied this), because Adam Butler is right in Jones' vision in seeing an open Henry. Jones instead throws through a clear opening. Like I said, something to note and we'll see if it's a thing or not.
1-10-MIA 39 (13:41) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short middle to J.Meyers.
Good read. Dolphins bring pressure and Jones makes a great read. Now seeing the all-22, Meyers should have kept running. Jones' throw was correct.
3-7-MIA 36 (13:00) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to J.Meyers to MIA 14 for 22 yards (J.Holland). P7
Good read. Patriots ran a rub route against man coverage and Jones read it perfectly for a big play.
1-10-MIA 14 (12:15) M.Jones pass incomplete short left. thrown away from outside the pocket.
Neutral. This play was odd because Jones' drop and the routes were not in sync. Jones had a three-step drop, which would normally lead to the tackles cutting the ends (they didn't) and for there to be some quick routes in the flat (there were not). The receivers are running deeper routes. If I had to guess, Jones was wrong.
2-20-MIA 24 (11:43) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to J.Smith to MIA 18 for 6 yards (N.Needham).
Minus read. Don't mind where he went with the ball, just that it was late. Smith was open much earlier and had a chance to make a play. By this time, Smith was easily tackled. Plus, there were a couple of deeper options available. Another play where I question if Jones saw Smith due to the line. Jones doesn't throw it until Smith is an open passing lane.
(11:04) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to J.Smith to MIA 11 for 7 yards (J.Holland, By.Jones). FUMBLES (By.Jones), recovered by NED.Andrews at MIA 9.
No decision. Called screen and, with the new hindsight, yes, Smith ran the wrong way.
THIRD DRIVE: 3-2-1, 1 no-decision.
New England Patriots at 9:11
1-10-NE 20 (9:11) M.Jones pass short middle to N.Agholor to NE 32 for 12 yards (By.Jones). P8
Good read. Bang action. Would like to see Agholor come out of his break with a little more urgency.
2-6-NE 36 (8:01) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete deep left to J.Meyers (J.McCourty) [B.Scarlett].
Good read. Great throw to Meyers, better play by Jason McCourty. No trouble throwing over big people on this one, but Jones had no choice against pressure. Had to get rid of it.
3-6-NE 36 (7:56) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to N.Agholor (E.Ogbah).
Minus read. This was close because it's difficult to tell if Jones was throwing to Meyers or Agholor due to the batted pass. Agholor was a good decision, Meyers was not and it likely would have been intercepted. Henry coming open on deep route in middle of the field.
New England Patriots at 6:06
1-10-NE 37 (6:06) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to D.Harris to NE 45 for 8 yards (S.Eguavoen).
Good read. Quick, but 8 yards on first down is very good.
1-10-NE 49 (4:44) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass deep middle to N.Agholor to MIA 26 for 25 yards (J.McCourty). P10
Good read. Jones starts to throw it before Agholor is really open. Big gain.
1-10-MIA 26 (4:05) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short left to J.White.
Good read. Not much open. Not a great throw.
2-10-MIA 26 (4:01) M.Jones pass short left to D.Harris to MIA 17 for 9 yards (By.Jones, J.Baker). NE-D.Harris was injured during the play.
Minus read. Henry, especially, and Smith were open down the field. Jones could have been blocked from seeing Henry, who has to get the ball and could score a possible touchdown. Jones threw in his open lane.
3-1-MIA 17 (3:36) M.Jones sacked at MIA 29 for -12 yards (E.Roberts). PENALTY on MIA-E.Roberts, Roughing the Passer, 9 yards, enforced at MIA 17 - No Play. X11
Good read. No one was open.
2-7-MIA 7 (2:35) M.Jones pass short left to N.Agholor for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN [E.Roberts].
Good read. Great call against this defense. Jones read the cornerback. If he comes up on Agholor, Meyers is the throw for a TD. If he sinks, which he did, Agholor is the throw.
FOURTH DRIVE: 7-2-0.
New England Patriots at 10:51, (1st play from scrimmage 10:47)
1-10-NE 19 (8:33) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to N.Agholor to NE 24 for 5 yards (E.Rowe, J.Baker). PENALTY on NE, Illegal Formation, 5 yards, enforced at NE 19 - No Play.
Good read. Jones throws it where the pressure is coming from.
1-15-NE 14 (8:08) M.Jones pass incomplete short middle to D.Harris (E.Roberts).
Minus read. This was the play I remember seeing from the press box. Jones misses a big opportunity here against little pressure. Smith is coming open on a corner route. Jones checks it down. Big minus play. Jones' biggest to date.
2-15-NE 14 (8:01) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass deep left to N.Agholor pushed ob at NE 35 for 21 yards (E.Rowe) [S.Eguavoen]. MIA-E.Rowe was injured during the play. P14
Good read. Great throw. With a guy steaming in his face, Jones anticipated the corner jumping the shorter route and threw it over his head. Outstanding.
1-10-NE 35 (7:36) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass deep right to K.Bourne to MIA 32 for 33 yards (A.Van Ginkel, By.Jones) [J.Baker]. PENALTY on NE-J.Herron, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NE 35 - No Play.
Good read. Great throw. Jones makes just a tremendous play eluding pressure and getting this throw off, but it's ruined by the Herron hold.
1-20-NE 25 (7:07) M.Jones pass short left to K.Bourne pushed ob at NE 36 for 11 yards (N.Needham).
Good read. Perfect for YAC.
2-11-NE 29 (6:01) M.Jones pass incomplete short middle to N.Agholor (By.Jones).
Good read. Nothing open and good pressure.
3-11-NE 29 (5:55) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass deep right to J.White pushed ob at MIA 45 for 26 yards (J.Baker). P16
Good read. Great throw ... this is getting repetitive. Bourne was also open on the play.
1-10-MIA 45 (5:28) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to H.Henry to MIA 36 for 9 yards (B.Scarlett, X.Howard).
Neutral. Fine pickup but Bourne was open a little deeper.
2-14-MIA 30 (3:38) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to J.White to MIA 24 for 6 yards (J.Baker) [J.Phillips].
Good read. Wanted him to stay more patient for Meyers down the field, but the pressure was too much.
3-8-MIA 24 (2:59) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short left to K.Bourne [S.Eguavoen].
Good read. Nothing open and Jones got belted.
FIFTH DRIVE: 8-1-1.
New England Patriots at 1:13
1-10-NE 28 (1:13) M.Jones pass short left to K.Bourne to NE 45 for 17 yards (N.Needham). PENALTY on NE-S.Mason, Illegal Blindside Block, 15 yards, enforced at NE 45.
Neutral. Meyers was wide open about 10 yards deeper than Bourne, but it's hard to quibble with 17 yards.
2-7-NE 31 (:11) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to H.Henry to NE 47 for 16 yards (Br.Jones) [A.Van Ginkel]
Good read. Was patient and allowed Henry to come open. Belted again.
1-10-NE 47 (15:00) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to J.White pushed ob at MIA 49 for 4 yards (J.McCourty).
Good read. Threw where the pressure was coming from. A play where it looked like Miami wanted him to throw quick and short.
2-6-MIA 49 (14:28) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to J.White to MIA 48 for 1 yard (A.Butler).
Good read. Unblocked pressure and Miami tried to trick him with different looks pre and post-snap.
3-5-MIA 48 (13:51) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to H.Henry to MIA 42 for 6 yards (E.Rowe). P19
Neutral. Picked up the first down but Bourne to the left could have been a bigger play.
1-10-MIA 42 (13:18) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to J.Smith ran ob at MIA 32 for 10 yards (A.Van Ginkel). P20
Good read. Nothing readily open.
1-10-MIA 32 (12:54) M.Jones pass short right to J.Meyers to MIA 29 for 3 yards (X.Howard).
No decision. A designed sprint pass.
2-7-MIA 29 (12:24) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short left to K.Bourne (B.Scarlett).
No decision. Screen pass batted down.
3-7-MIA 29 (12:22) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short middle to J.White to MIA 21 for 8 yards (N.Needham; E.Rowe). P21
Neutral. Tough decision because there were two deep options open and the protection was decent, but hard to quibble with picking up the first down. Plus, Bourne's head wasn't around. He could have scored a touchdown, however.
3-4-MIA 15 (10:42) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to J.Meyers.
No decision. Designed sprint out. Still think a) Meyers shouldn't have faded his route and, b) Meyers should have caught the ball.
SIXTH DRIVE: 4-0-3, 2 no-decisions.
New England Patriots at 8:07
2-9-MIA 49 (7:30) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to J.Meyers to MIA 46 for 3 yards (N.Needham, S.Eguavoen).
Good read. Agholor definitely ran the wrong route (he pounded his helmet), which caused Jones to delay the pass.
3-6-MIA 46 (6:51) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to J.Meyers to MIA 39 for 7 yards (X.Howard) [E.Ogbah]. P22
Good read. Great throw against pressure and throwing Meyers open.
2-5-MIA 22 (4:15) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short middle to J.Smith to MIA 11 for 11 yards (J.Baker). P24
Good read. Right into the void and threw Smith open.
SEVENTH DRIVE: 3-0-0.
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A very, very impressive game for any young quarterback, let alone a rookie making his first start. Had a little bit of shaky stretch there as the Dolphins ramped up some of their pressures and confusion techniques. But once Jones got a handle on that, he sailed to the finish. I can now see why Josh McDaniels said he has "total confidence" in Jones. This game would do that.
Totals from Dolphins game: 27-5-6, 5 no-decisions (86.8 positive decision rate)
Totals from Jets game: 17-5-4, 10 no-decisions (80.8 positive decision rate)
Two-game total: 44-10-10, 15 no-decisions (84.4 percent)
I mean, I don't know how you can't be thrilled with that kind of performance after just two games. The speed of the game and the defensive tactics are the hardest part for a rookie to deal with, and Jones has basically started at a B-plus rate in terms of his decision-making. It's only going to get better.
So far, so good.