Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots once again found themselves needed a late comeback in a close game at home – something that’s been a theme for them in the 2023 season. Against the Washington Commanders, the script looked all too familiar.
With that familiarity came a familiar ending. More often than not those games have been decided by a turnover or turnovers, and that was the issue again on Sunday.
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After consecutive stops by the defense (one was wiped out when Mack Wilson lined up offsides on a 4th & 1 punt), the Patriots got the ball trailing by three, needing a field goal to tie. The drive started at the Patriots’ 9-yard line (because of another special teams penalty, a hold on Brenden Schooler) with 2:07 to go in regulation and the Patriots out of timeouts.
Initially, the Patriots moved the ball well. They went 50 yards in eight plays, approaching field goal with 38 seconds to go. However, that’s as far as they’d get.
On a 2nd & 8 from the Washington 41-yard line, Mac Jones fired a ball over the middle to JuJu Smith-Schuster – a ball that would have had the Patriots well within field goal range. Despite the tight window the ball hit Smith-Schuster in the hands, only to bounce off right to rookie Commanders’ safety Jartavius Martin, who secured the catch to win the game. One more kneel down by Sam Howell, and it was officially over.
For Jones, the interception was his ninth of the year. That ties him for the league lead with Howell and recently-benched Jimmy Garoppolo.
For Smith-Schuster, having the ball go through his hands continues what’s been a very slow start to his New England Patriots career. After signing a three-year, $33 million contract this offseason, he’s struggled to produce. His six catches and 51 yards prior to the pick on Sunday were both season-highs to this point.
After the game though Smith-Schuster took accountability, with Jones also backing him up. Here’s what both players, as well as head coach Bill Belichick, had to say about the play…
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY SportsNov 5, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) has the ball got through his hands during the second half against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
“It’s all on me. [Mac Jones] put the ball in a good position. I just have to make the catch, secure it, and now we’re in field goal range. Obviously, I didn’t do that, and we fell short.”
Mac Jones
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 05: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots reacts after an interception during the second half in the game against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“I think JuJu made a great play the play before or we wouldn’t even be in that situation. I just went through my reads and fired it in there. It was just a bang-bang play. Obviously when you lose the game, it’s frustrating. It’s not on one person or one player at all. Like I said, JuJu made some great plays. We’re all in it together. I can throw a better ball, protect him a little bit more, all that stuff. I’ll watch the film, like I said, see what I can do to fix my part.”
Bill Belichick
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the second half of the game against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“I don’t think it was really the read [that was wrong. Don’t want to lose the ball there. We’re in field goal range – it’s a long kick. But the ball gets tipped up in the air, made an interception.”
