The game was right there for the Patriots. After forcing the Ravens to fumble on their own 39-yard line, the Patriots took over the ball in prime position to take the lead in the early stages of the fourth quarter. The drive started off in positive fashion, with the Patriots moving the ball down to the 10-yard line.
Then Mac Jones threw a pick in the end zone, sailing the ball over DeVante Parker and right to cornerback Marlon Humphrey. It was a horrible throw and Jones’ second interception of the day (he finished with three). On the sideline, the second-year passer acted accordingly.
He blew up.
A lip-reading of Jones’ tantrum indicates he was screaming about the Ravens playing Cover 4 — a four-deep defensive alignment with two corners and two safeties back defending the pass.
It looked like Jones may have been yelling at Parker, which would be a bad look for the young QB, because his throw was awful. Jones heaved the ball into the left corner of the end zone while he was retreating from Baltimore’s pass-rush. Parker never had a chance.
Jones threw three picks Sunday, all of which were his fault. Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen also dropped an easy INT in the first half.
Jones appeared to injure his ankle after his final interception, and could be placed on injured reserve.
Marlon Humphrey picks off Mac Jones in the end zone!! pic.twitter.com/DjE6BItut2
— Brian Y (@byysports) September 25, 2022
While Jones and Parker connected five times for 156 yards Sunday, Jones' back-breaking end zone interception shows they’re still not on the same page. Jones has thrown two picks on passes intended for Parker this season.
The Patriots lack a margin for error; and yet, they turned the ball over four times in their final five possessions. That’s definitely something worth screaming over.
But Jones should turn his frustrations inward. Many of the Patriots’ struggles Sunday began with him.
