Mac Jones is facing scrutiny for an apparent dirty play.
During the second half of the Patriots’ crushing 22-18 loss to the Bengals, Cincinnati linebacker Germaine Pratt picked up a seeming fumble from Jones (the play was later ruled an incomplete pass) and hustled towards the Patriots end zone.
Pratt was several yards ahead of the closest Patriot, speedy wideout Tyquan Thornton, who was well ahead of cornerback Eli Apple, the closest Bengal.
Yet, Jones slid down and tripped Apple. Unsurprisingly, the veteran defensive back wasn’t pleased.
“He tripped me,” Apple told reporters. “I thought it was a dirty play. He’s done that before, I’ve seen it.”
As Apple indicated, this isn’t the first time Jones has been accused of a dirty play. Last season, Jones grabbed and and twisted the ankle of Panthers defensive lineman Brian Burns, who was apoplectic.
The then-rookie didn’t apologize for the play, and was never fined.
We’ll see if Jones is fined for tripping Apple; but regardless, that’s a tough play to explain away. Apple wasn’t close to Thornton. Jones’ trip seemed to be gratuitous.
Apple got the last laugh Saturday.
“Yeah, well, they’re going home now,” he said.
The scoreboard always has the final word.