The number that matters most to Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is wins.
He now has six, and now is not the time for the, “They should have seven or eight” debate. But as the wins have compiled (four in a row), the numbers are also starting to surface in favor of the argument that the rookie is a major reason why the Patriots have turned their season around.
And also that Jones is really good and earning all the praise.
Starting with this past Sunday, where Jones (19-for-23 passing with three touchdowns) was just plain spectacular.
And his passer rating was a perfect 158.3 on throws of 10-plus yards down the field against Cleveland. Not bad for someone who supposedly graduated cum laude from Dink’ n Dunk Academy and still had the reigns and leashes on him under center.
Jones also has one of the top five passer ratings in red zone targets to date this season. Again, pretty good for a team that was having trouble scoring, yet now is second overall in point differential in the NFL.
Sorry to rain on the old Pats criticism parade, but the 2021 Patriots now also boast 48 plays of 20 yards or more, second-most in the NFL. Last season they had 51 overall.
Not too shabby for a peashooter, hey Rex Ryan?
More than just touchdowns and long plays, Jones isn’t just the right fit in the Patriots system, he’s also the best of the 2021 rookie QB class, and to date it’s not even close.
Plus, Jones has two of the three highest rated rookie QB performances ever, trailing only Russell Wilson from 2012. Mind you, it’s only Week 11.
Then once you factor in all of the intangibles like leadership, decision making, respect and adoration from his teammates, fan support, admiration from his coaches, helping turn a franchise around under the weight of massive expectations and, well, there seem to be a number of things Jones is doing right.
The 2021 Patriots still have seven games to go if they are to make the playoffs -- the odds of which have also increased significantly of late. More impressive numbers in Jones’ favor, you could say. Those odds will increase as the number Jones cares about most, those victories, continue to roll in.
Thursday night Jones faces the Atlanta Falcons, a team whose pass defense is far inferior to his own in New England. Nothing is a given in this topsy turvy 2021 NFL season, but it seems like a good night for Jones to keep stacking up those impressive numbers in an impressive rookie season.
Thanks to MacFarlane Energy, your Mitsubishi Diamond Elite contractor, where they can very affordably heat your three-season room with a Mitsubishi ductless hyper heat unit. Please visit MacFarlaneEnergy.com.
