Zach Wilson was one of four quarterbacks taken before Mac Jones in the NFL Draft.
Jones faced his counterpart on Sunday and outdueled him. He continues to show national media why he was the most pro-ready signal-caller in the class. Jones led the New England Patriots to a 54-13 victory over the New York Jets. He recorded a career-high 307 passing yards. DeVonta Smith was his security blanket at Alabama, but Jones has built a connection with Hunter Henry for the Patriots. He caught one of Jones’ two touchdown passes while Brandon Bolden totaled a 15-yard score from him. Jones compiled his second-highest passer rating (111.7) of the season versus the Jets in getting his third career win as the starter.
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It was the third time Jones has totaled at least two scoring tosses in a game.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., the 15th overall pick has also been efficient as a passer. He’s completed under 60 percent of his attempts once (New Orleans, 58.8%) in seven games.
In five of seven matchups, excluding the Jets, Jones has connected on 70 percent of his throws. He is ninth in the National Football League for passing yards (1,779) and fifth for completion percentage (70.4). Jones’ ability to process information and possesses great timing allowed him to navigate the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020. He is keeping the Patriots in a position to fight for a postseason chance.
New England’s 54 points against New York was the most it has scored since 2013 when it dropped 55 on Pittsburgh.
According to Oliver Thomas, an assistant managing editor for SB Nation, Jones is the fourth rookie quarterback all-time with at least 225 passing yards and a touchdown pass in five consecutive games. He joins Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, and Deshaun Watson in this category.
On Sunday, Mac Jones became the fourth rookie quarterback all-time with at least 225 passing yards and a touchdown pass in five consecutive games, joining Dak Prescott (eight in 2016), Justin Herbert (seven in 2020) and Deshaun Watson (five in 2017), per NFL release.
— Oliver Thomas (@OliverBThomas) October 25, 2021
Jones will face Herbert, the No. 6 overall pick in 2020, this week as New England takes on the Chargers.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
