Mack Jones came under fire during Saturday’s home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, which took a toll on New England’s playoff hopes.
The New England Patriots entered Saturday afternoon with a lot at stake in terms of wildcard image in the AFC.
If the Patriots can win their last three games, they will be bound for the playoffs again. A Cincinnati Bengals loss and an assist, as well as a win, would come next. The latter happened.
New England Qualifying hopes took a hit With a 22-18 defeat, the Patriots failed to complete a 22-point comeback, adding more parity to the playoff picture two weeks earlier.
To make matters worse, Mac Jones, who has struggled with consistent play on the field and staying healthy, could face discipline for an incident late in the game that ultimately seal win for Bengals.
The NFL is scouting Mack Jones for a low hit against the Bengals
A pass was ruled a second and 11 incomplete after Jermaine Pratt came out with the football (mistaking it for a pass back) when the play was blown out. Instead of trying to tackle Pratt, Jones put an illegal block on Eli Apple, which didn’t sit well with the corner. There was no foul on the play, nor did it change the final score of the game, but Jones has committed similar offenses throughout his NFL career,
Jones finished 21 of 33 for 240 yards passing and two stars. He has also been fired four times.
NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero were the first to report that the play was under investigation by the league for further action, including a fine for Jones.
Patriots QB McJones will be evaluated by the NFL for a possible fine for a low hit on #Bengals CB Eli Apple, but not a suspension, for me and [Tom Pelissero]Rapoport Books. “This will be reviewed in the normal fine schedule.”
What is New England’s path to the playoffs?
Even with New England’s fourth defeat in six games, the legendary Asian giant can still play January football in its simplest way, which is back-to-back wins against the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills. The Patriots (7-8) could no longer win the division, as the Bills clinched the conference title against the Chicago Bears on the same day.
The Patriots haven’t missed a postseason since 2020, marking the first non-playoff appearance in the Bill Belichick era since 2008.
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