The actions of the New England Patriots QB Mac Jones have gone under the radar multiple times. But the December heat is returning to him. His on-field infringement against the Cincinnati Bengals did not draw a penalty during the game. However, the NFL is not going to let it go.

The incident occurred during Week 16 clash between the Patriots and the Bengals.

Mac Jones faces the heat from the NFL

The NFL has decided to slap a fine on Mac Jones for throwing himself in front of the Bengals cornerback Eli Apple. Apple was running to cover for his teammate, linebacker Germaine Pratt, who took a Jones fumble home for a touchdown.

According to Pro Football Talk, the league will fine Jones an amount of $11,139. A player is not allowed to low block an opposition player if there is a change in possession. The fine imposed on Jones is a standard for a first-time offense. But this is not the first time the Patriots QB is being fined.

Earlier this month, Jones got a $10,609 fine for hitting the Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa after he sacked Jones. The QB threw the football at the Bills’ DE after the play and the league deemed it as taunting.

Both times, the actions did not draw a penalty on the field. But the fans criticized the actions of the QB. And both times, his pocket felt the heat in the December cold.

The QB gives his side of the story

Mac Jones tabled his side of the story behind his low block against the Bengals. Speaking on the ‘Merloni, Fauria and MegO Show’, the QB said that he was just trying to prevent Eli Apple from reaching a Patriots player.

“I went down in front of him to kind of get in the way to stop him from slowing down Tyquan, who obviously could make the tackle there,” Jones said. He added that a lot goes into the split-second decisions, and he was trying to help the team win.

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Jones and the Patriots are struggling this season and have looked like a shadow of the franchise they once were. The Patriots’ signal-caller has thrown just 2,550 passing yards this term. He has thrown just nine passing touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Bill Belichick’s men are 7-8 overall in the league till Week 16 and are eighth overall in the AFC standings. Can they defy the odds to make it to the playoffs?

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