Why ESPN’s Mike Reiss isn’t burying Mac Jones just yet
The Patriots fell to the Dallas Cowboys 38-3 in what was the worst loss in the head coaching career of Bill Belichick. Quarterback Mac Jones had a day to forget as well, passing for just 150 yards while throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble that went for a defensive score. But ESPN’s Mike Reiss is not ready to bury Mac Jones just yet and he explained why to Zolak & Bertrand on Tuesday:
What went wrong in Dallas?
“I thought defensively, it was obviously not their best game, but I actually thought they did enough to be in the game, if the quarterback didn’t have the worst game we’ve seen him play. … I thought this was about the quarterback letting them down.
“And I want to be honest with you, I think Mac is a good quarterback. And I know that’s probably going to be – people going to jump all over me – like, good quarterback who had a bad day, and now we’re going to learn a lot about him, how he responds to that.
“I think he processes and makes good decisions. … You can be a good quarterback or a good student and have just a train wreck of a day, a train wreck of a test. To me, that’s what I look at this one. I know it’s a tough day to do it, but I have to be honest with you, I’m not going to go along with the crowd, where it’s convenient to do that based on this performance.
“I’ll give you the Jets as an example. We were killing Zach Wilson last week, for good reason. It was a terrible performance. How did he look Sunday night? Not bad. Serviceable.
“So I think we get caught up in the moment sometimes. I get it. That’s what we do, and it’s part of the fun. I just I don’t live in that world.”
LISTEN: ESPN’s Mike Reiss reacts to Patriots-Cowboys
An ugly, ugly loss: 7 takeaways from the Patriots' defeat in Dallas
Getting behind the sticks early
Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) is stopped short of a first down in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots were behind the sticks early, literally and figuratively. There were two chances early in the game for the Patriots to keep their offense on the field, that blew up in their faces.
On their first drive of the game, the Patriots drove inside the Dallas 10. On a 3rd & 1 from the 9-yard line, the Patriots elected to throw the ball into the end zone. Mac Jones targeted Mike Gesicki, who failed to reel in a pass over his head. Instead of going on fourth down the Patriots instead kicked a field goal. At the time, that tied the game at 3-3.
Early in the second quarter, the Patriots had a 4th & 1 from the Cowboys 41 yard line. Keep in mind it was a 4th & 1, but a long 4th & 1. Still the Patriots went with the tush push quarterback sneak. While that play is very effective for what it is, it’s not exactly designed to gain a full yard.
As such, the Patriots came up short and turned the ball over on downs. While the defense held, it allowed the Cowboys to flip the field with a point, and with the Patriots backed up to the red zone Jones committed the first of his three turnovers on the day, getting strip sacked by Cowboys linebacker Dante Fowler, with Leighton Vander Esch recovering the fumble for a touchdown.
The common thread here? Once again the Patriots seemed tentative (at best) to run the ball traditionally, even in clear run situations. Instead they either tried to throw the ball or call non-traditional run plays, which didn’t work. For a team built to run the ball, that is a concerning sign.
In particular, it was concerning to see Ezekiel Elliott play such a limed role in this game. Coming into the game there was a lot of talk about Elliott’s return to Dallas, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported leading up to the game that the Patriots would increase his role to “starter reps.” Testing a Cowboys defense that allowed 222 rushing yards last week with Elliott’s power rushing style would have made sense, but he had just six carries and three catches. While at a certain point the Patriots did have to abandon the run game, Elliott’s absence in short-yardage situations early in the game was notable.
Mac Jones gets the hook
Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) looks on from the bench during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Things didn’t get much better when the Patriots threw the ball. If this wasn’t the worst game of Mac Jones’ career, it certainly was up there. He finished by completing 12-of-21 passes for 150 yards and two picks. He was pulled from the game midway through the third quarter, with Bailey Zappe replacing him.
The game spiraled on Jones early. Dealing with pressure early, Jones spent much of the early part of this game using his legs to extend plays in the pocket. He made a couple of plays very early doing so, but it wasn’t sustainable. Jones turned the ball over multiple times, mostly while on the run. Both his fumble and interceptions felt like panicked moves, trying to create/force plays that simply weren’t there.
It didn’t get much better as the Patriots’ deficit grew. Jones regularly targeted covered receivers and missed throws.
Simply put, it looked like Jones let the game get away from him. He tried to overcome early mistakes – by both himself and others – by doing too much. That led to him playing outside of his skill set. As a result, both his decision-making and mechanics both deteriorated.
After the game, Bill Belichick seemed to indicate the plan is still to start Jones next week. Zappe’s significant struggles during the preseason probably give Jones a bit more room for comfort, but he can’t afford any more performances like this one.
Penalties a problem too
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Both pressure and penalties were problems for the Patriots’ offensive line in this game. The Patriots were down two starters, yet it was starting right guard Mike Onwenu who committed three of the four penalties on the offensive line with a hold and two false starts.
Onwenu has been tasked with a lot so far this season, with the Patriots having a revolving door next to him at right tackle through four games. This felt like another case of one player being asked to do too much, to compensate for talent shortcomings elsewhere on the field.
Still, Onwenu’s penalties weren’t the only calls in tough spots for the Patriots. Rookie left guard Atonio Mafi was called for an illegal blindside block, a rare call at the line of scrimmage. On special teams, Joe Cardona was called for a hold on a punt.
On the other side of the line…
Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) has his face mask grabbed by New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
It wasn’t just on the offensive side of the ball that the Patriots couldn’t establish themselves in the trenches. Defensively, the Patriots struggled up front as well.
There were some questions coming into the game about the Patriots’ ability to stop the run after losing Daniel Ekuale to a shoulder injury last week, and with Davon Godchaux playing through an ankle injury. Their loses were felt, as the Cowboys ran for 4.7 yards per carry before their final clock-killing drive.
If the Patriots are going to come from behind in games, they’ll have to be able to stop the run. Sunday showed they have work to do in that regard.
Injuries
Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) walks off the field injured during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, there are two key injuries to monitor from this game. Both are on the defensive side of the ball.
Matthew Judon left the game late with what was later confirmed to be an elbow injury. According to reports, Judon will undergo an MRI on Monday but is expected to miss some time.
Christian Gonzalez left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury. There was no immediate condition on his status after the game.
