Mac Jones’ Pocket Presence Not Lost In The Week 1 Rush For Patriots

A regular season removed from amassing 70 sacks, the Philadelphia Eagles opened with only a pair at Gillette Stadium.

But Mac Jones endured more heat than that total would indicate last Sunday. Behind a Bill O’Brien gameplan built around quick releases and an Adrian Klemm offensive line featuring rookies Atonio Mafi and Sidy Sow in starting guard spots, the New England Patriots quarterback hid it well.

There was toughness shown on an afternoon that began with an interception returned 70 yards for a touchdown on the initial drive, plus a deficit that swelled to 16 points in the initial quarter.

“I take a lot of pride in that, but just standing in there, taking shots if I have to, just continuing to grow in that matter,” Jones said during his Wednesday press conference. “I always felt like as a quarterback, you have to show that in your own way. Some guys do it differently than others, but you also have to be smart.”

In what became a 25-20 loss, New England’s 25-year-old captain under center threw three touchdown passes following the pick off the fingertips by cornerback Darius Slay. And while no sacks were recorded until the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, the reigning NFC champions were often nearby.

“There’s a league full of a lot of really good players,” Jones said. “They’re coming to knock your head off. So, you got to make sure you show that passion and show it in unique ways. And for me, it’s standing in the pocket and ripping it.”

Pro Football Focus charted Philadelphia for 21 combined quarterback pressures, including 15 hurries as well as four hits by game’s end.

Without top guards Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu, who eclipsed 2,000 offensive snaps altogether last year, Jones completed 35-of-54 passes for 316 yards in the face of it. The offense diversified its personnel packages with motions, screens and no-huddle looks.

Eight different targets accounted for receptions.

“I think Mac did a lot of really good things in the pocket last week for us,” veteran Patriots center David Andrews told reporters on Wednesday. “Moving in the pocket, understanding the pocket, where his problems are, what he needs to do. Offensive football is a team sport to the most degree, right? Like, the receivers got to run the right routes, so therefore the ball can come out, and the offensive line always has to do our job. Mac did a great job for us this week really understanding some of the issues.”

Jones hit tight end Hunter Henry and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne in the red zone and in the end zone on consecutive series heading into halftime. He then hit Bourne again for points with 3:43 left to play. Along the way, the Philadelphia front registered one sack split between Jordan Davis and Josh Sweat as well as one of the solo variety from rookie Jalen Carter.

The average time to throw checked in at 2.52 seconds, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, counteracting the pass rush.

The former No. 15 overall draft choice out of Alabama scrambled twice for an additional 15 yards and one first down on the ground.

“We talk about toughness as an O-line and running backs, right? But I think as a quarterback to stand in there and take some shots and deliver the balls, that’s how a quarterback shows his toughness,” added Andrews, a Patriots captain since 2017. “I think he did a really good job for us. You sometimes don’t notice it during the game because it’s the game and you’re not seeing everything. And then you go home and watch the film, watch him standing in there knowing he’s going to take a shot, delivering a ball. I think that shows a lot of maturity and toughness from him.

“We got to do a better job keeping him upright and not letting him take some of those shots, but I thought he did a really good job for us on Sunday.”

The Miami Dolphins visit Gillette Stadium next Sunday. The AFC East kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET.