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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots sits on the bench after the loss to the New Orleans Saints after the game at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots sits on the bench after the loss to the New Orleans Saints after the game at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots faced the Cincinnati Bengals. They looked like a defective roster in the first half when the Bengals were 22-0. But in the second half, they powered through and were on their way to an improbable win until the team made another poor play. That was not the only poor move the Pats made. Mac Jones, starting QB of the team, made a redundant tackle against a Bengals CB. The QB got much flak for his action on Twitter.
The 24-year-old undercut Eli Apple in the fourth quarter of the matchup. It could have resulted in a serious injury. The move happened away from the actual play. Therefore, the move was not required. Many fans on social media dubbed it a dirty play.
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NFL Twitter besmirch Mac Jones
Jones blocked Apple when the Bengals linebacker was returning a fumble by Jones into the end zone. Even though the play led nowhere, the QB still tripped the CB down by the legs.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 24, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) drops back to pass during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
The ‘dirty play’ did not go unnoticed by Eli Apple, who resented his play. “Of course I did (notice it). He tripped me,” Apple said. “I thought it was a dirty play. He’s done that before, I’ve seen it.”
A user commented with some pictures from previous games:
He’s a dirty player, that’s it pic.twitter.com/dYWwa4cpGA
— MauricioD (@mad76) December 24, 2022
Fans compared Jones to Milwaukee Bucks’ Grayson Allen. The 27-year-old is notorious for making foul plays and has been ejected numerous times.
— Brendan (parody) (@jetfella) December 25, 2022
But this user thinks that it was an impressive play.
Great block! Thornton runs a 4.28 so Mac did the quick math to section off any potential threat aka Apple who's trying to take out Thornton.
Its a team sport and Mac is a good teammate.
— RollPats10 (@RollPats10) December 25, 2022
He’s a dirtbag
— dan mendes (@Mendes4109) December 24, 2022
A fan asked for the league to look into the team.
What a clown move. Mac is well known for this crap.
— Ken Barney (@ken_barney) December 24, 2022
This fan found nothing wrong with Mac Jones blocking Apple.
What's dirty about that?
— Вяс 🇺🇦✌️ (@ejvyas) December 24, 2022
Another fan compared the Pats QB to Allen.
Mac Jones slowly becoming the Grayson Allen of the NFL
— Huzefa (@HuzefaTawa) December 25, 2022
This is not the first time that the quarterback took a cheap shot on a defensive player. An edge rusher of the Carolina Panthers, Brian Burns, accused Jones of grabbing and twisting his ankle.
Jones’ decision took the team nowhere since they ended up losing the game by 22-18. But they are still in the race to the playoffs, with two games remaining. The Patriots will face the Miami Dolphins on New Year’s Eve.
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Written by
Edited by
Debmallya Chakraborty