When the Patriots dropped back-to-back games to the Colts and Bills, it's not a stretch to say rookie QB Mac Jones did not have his best games — and that's all 60 minutes because he surely had stretches of excellent plays in both games, especially the second halves. As the Patriots fell behind a combined 44-7 in the two games, Jones and the offense was as much of an issue as the defense.
When taking a step back, it wasn't hard to see why the passing offense was suddenly having some issue.
Namely, Jones, Josh McDaniels and the passing offense had gotten away from their strengths: the short, quick passing game. And that's not confined to Jones. Tom Brady was also at his best in this offense doing just that, especially later in his Patriots career.
For the season, Jones has been 11th in quickest time throw (2.7 seconds, Brady leads at 2.37 seconds). Jones is middle of the back when it comes to intended air yards on all passes at 8.1 yards.
But against the Colts and Bills, and some of it could have been due to the scoreboard, Jones and the Patriots got away from their bread and butter.
Against the Colts, Jones held the ball for 3.15 seconds and threw it 10.6 yards on average. Against the Bills, it was 3.17 seconds and 9.8.
Both numbers were way above Jones' average, and it wasn't necessarily a good thing for the Patriots' offense.
The Jaguars offered an opportunity for Jones and the Patriots to reset. And while the performance wasn't Hall of Fame-worthy — and there were again plays he left on the field — it was an improvement over the previous two games, and the expectation should be for at least this level of play to be the foundation going forward.
The numbers in this game, followed by video analysis, positional ratings, gamecharts and 3 up/3 down:
2.52 seconds to throw, 8.5 yards in the air.
The Patriots and Jones were back in their wheelhouse and produced 71 percent completions, 227 yards, three touchdowns and a 128.1 rating.
A look at two sequences, one at the end of the first half, and the other Jones' final drive in the fourth quarter:
SECOND QUARTER
1-10-JAX 43 (1:59) M.Jones pass short right to J.Meyers to JAX 35 for 8 yards (C.Claybrooks).
This is the Patriots' bread and butter: react to how the defense is playing, take the easy money for 8 yards on first down.
1-10-JAX 31 (1:20) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at JAX 41 for -10 yards (J.Ward).
PENALTY on JAX-J.Ward, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at JAX 31 - No Play. X15
This is a play Jones would like to have back. There's no reason for him to take a sack, in the high red area, in 3.54 seconds. There was no readily open receiver, but the opportunity was there to give Kendrick Bourne a one-on-one opportunity and Jonnu Smith leaking out late. The roughing penalty wiped out what would have been 2nd and 20.
1-10-JAX 16 (1:14) M.Onwenu reported in as eligible. M.Jones pass incomplete short right. thrown at the feet of 81-Smith
On a rollout right — I don't love Jones throwing on the run and I don't think he loves it either — Jakobi Meyers is open for a possible touchdown. This throw needs to be made.
2-10-JAX 16 (1:09) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to K.Bourne to JAX 8 for 8 yards (S.Quarterman).
Good zone read by both the receiver and Jones. Easy money. Bread and butter.
(:52) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to J.Meyers for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 10-Jones 20th TD pass of season, new franchise record for TD passes by a rookie (Plunkett 19, 1971).
Obviously outstanding execution by all involved.
FOURTH QUARTER
1-10-NE 22 (1:14) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to J.Meyers pushed ob at NE 30 for 8 yards (C.Claybrooks).
Same drive-starter as above. Good gain. Stay ahead of the chains.
1-10-NE 43 (15:00) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete deep right to K.Wilkerson.
Don't mind the read but the throw is flat. Still, thought this incompletion was more about Kristian Wilkerson being limited as a receiver. Good initial break, but can't get separation.
2-10-NE 43 (14:55) M.Jones pass short left to K.Bourne to 50 for 7 yards (T.Campbell, S.Quarterman).
Easy money and out quickly. Gets the team into third and manageable.
(14:11) (Shotgun) 3-3-50 M.Jones pass short right to K.Bourne to JAX 43 for 7 yards (C.Claybrooks). NE 84-K.Bourne 50th rec of season, new career high.
Like the last drive, Bourne and Jones on the same page against a zone defense that moves the chains quickly.
1-10-JAX 43 (13:34) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete deep left to K.Wilkerson (A.Cisco).
Flat-out drop a touchdown. Perfect read, Jones climbs the pocket to make the throw and delivers it on the money. Should have been a 43-yard touchdown. If N'Keal Harry dropped this, people would have been rioting in the streets.
2-10-JAX 43 (13:26) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to B.Bolden to JAX 30 for 13 yards (S.Quarterman, B.McDougald). P27
Slip screen.
2-5-JAX 25 (11:59) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to K.Wilkerson.
Back-shoulder throw that Wilkerson does not play well. Didn't love the decision when Hunter Henry and Meyers were higher percentage options.
3-5-JAX 25 (11:55) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short left to B.Bolden
Drop by Bolden should have been a first down.
So Jones had his ups and downs in this game, but it was a marked improvement over the previous two. Of course, the drop-off in competition was dramatic — the Jaguars totaled just two QB pressures in this game (5.6%), and one was on Jones himself — but it was a good reset.
The question is, will it make any difference going forward? It can't hurt, but this could be a good progression. Basically a scrimmage against the Jaguars. The Dolphins will be a much better test and great prep for the postseason.
Here are the positional ratings against the Jaguars:
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3 out of 5)
Overall, had Jones for 5 plus plays and six minus plays. If I had two worries about Jones at this point, it's that he has started to deliver the ball late on some plays, and he's not using his eyes as well to look off the safety. McDaniels was obviously trying to tighten up Jones in this one, and it was a good success. He'll need to do it again. One very good thing: Jones' mechanics were much better than against the Bills after a good week of practice.
Running backs (4 out of 5)
Rhamondre Stevenson (three broken tackles) has to be the toughest Patriots back since Dion Lewis, for different reasons, obviously. Defenders have a hard time squaring Stevenson up and when they do, he trucks them. Give me Stevenson all day over LeGarrette Blount, btw. .... Damien Harris continues to have a great season. Vision is his superpower at this point.
Receivers (4 out of 5)
Meyers had one of his best games as a Patriot in this one in every facet of the game. Not one minus play, and his blocking was great. ... Wilkerson caught two TDs (one was a coverage bust, the other was terrible defense by the Jaguars) but dropped a third down and touchdown, and did not get out of his break well on a back-shoulder toss. ... Jonnu Smith had one of his better games of the season blocking. Hopefully he's getting more solid and healthy there. ... Want more Bourne but he has to learn when it give up on a play. He's going to get himself killed and this team can't afford that.
Offensive line (5 out of 5)
Virtually a flawless game by this unit. Not one pressure was charged to them, and the 10.8 stuff percentage was lowest of the season. Order of effectiveness: Karras, Brown, Andrews, Wynn, Mason. All of them were very good.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (2.5 out of 5)
Didn't love the game out of this group with seven blown gaps either rushing Trevor Lawrence or against the run. Everyone made plays, and everyone had a few plays they want back. If this defense is going to do anything in the postseason, this group has to be more on point. .... Christian Barmore had has many good plays (sack, hurry) as bad (three overanxious gaps).
Linebackers (3 out of 5)
Ja'Whaun Bentley and Dont'a Hightower were good. ... Jahlani Tavai got a tryout as the sub linebacker and failed miserably with four big plays allowed, including the touchdown on the screen pass.
Secondary (4 out of 5)
Good, solid game. They accepted the gifts from Lawrence, played tough against the run and gave up some plays. No reason for the Jaguars to be 3 of 5 on third downs in the first half. Without the interceptions, this might have been a long half. ... Dugger bounced back well with an INT and two tough run stops.
THREE UP
Jakobi Meyers: One of his best all-around games as a Patriot.
Ted Karras: Led the way for the perfect offensive line.
Kyle Dugger: Was decisive and aggressive. Needs to keep playing like that. Less thinking, more reacting.
THREE DOWN
Jahlani Tavai: Patriots are going to keep making this a thing. It could be a big problem.
Mike Onwenu: Barely played and struggled in the run game.
Daniel Ekuale: Of the issues on the defensive line, he had the most.
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Practice notes: WR Nelson Agholor and DE Ronnie Perkins were spotted at practice Wednesday by the pool reporter. No Kyle Dugger (hand) or any players on the reserve/COVID list.