The storylines heading into the massive Patriots and Bills matchup on Monday Night Football are seemingly endless, but there’s really only one thing fans in New England want to know at the end of the night.
Can Mac Jones handle the NFL’s biggest stage in a difficult environment?
352 days ago, December 19, 2020, Jones and Alabama put up 52 points against Florida in the SEC title game. Now, almost a year later, instead of a neutral field, Jones will have to deal with the unholy hell that is Orchard Park and the Bills Mafia. Add to it the playoff implications and outright fear Bills fans must have about the AFC East slipping away after only one season at the top, it could arguably be one of the most hostile crowds in the history of this rivalry.
The weather could also be a huge issue and it’ll be interesting to see if it affects Jones at all – wind will undoubtedly play a factor for both QB’s if the forecast holds true – but is he already far along enough in his development where the bright lights of MNF aren’t too bright? If so, then the rest of the AFC could be screwed. If not, there will be serious questions about just how far this team can go until he proves he can win with less than ideal circumstances.
Comparing college conference title games in a 72-degree dome and an NFL game in sub-freezing temperatures probably isn’t fair, but hey, what the hell? It’s fun. Plus, this is really only the second or third time we’ve seen Mac in a truly big spot in an NFL game, so last year’s playoff run is all we have to go off of for now.
The group of skill players Jones had to work with with The Crimson Tide is better than what he’s currently working with, but Damien Harris is closer to Najee Harris right now than people will admit in terms of efficiency whether the numbers show it or not. No one is DeVonta Smith, but Kendrick Bourne has emerged as a true playmaker for the young QB and I would say is as reliable right now as Smith was for Jones at this time last season. Smith had an absurd 15 catches for 184 yards and two TD’s in the SEC title game and I obviously don’t expect Bourne to put up those kind of numbers in these conditions, but other guys like Meyers and Agholor can certainly become dependable on shorter throws during those “just chip away” drives. Hunter Henry is a red zone threat at the tight end position which is something Jones didn’t really have at all a year ago too.
Alabama beat Florida 52-46 in a ridiculous shootout. Ironically, the game was in Atlanta and Mercedes Benz Stadium as well. 28-3, never forget.
Jones racked up the yardage, putting up 418 yards, five touchdowns and one pick, but the skill guys were really the key to the win. Harris carried the ball 31 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns and he also caught five balls for 67 yards and three touchdowns, something both Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson might need to do tonight if passing downfield isn’t really possible. Would anyone be shocked if Harris and Stevenson had about 40 carries combined or 10-12 targets total on check downs? Jones might not need to be the lead guy tonight, he wasn’t really in the SEC title game either, but did what he was asked to do and the stats were just a little icing on the cake.
I completely acknowledge this isn’t apples to apples, but it’s pretty crazy to think that two weeks shy of a year ago Mac Jones was competing for a conference title for Nick Saban and now he’s competing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC as the hopeful heir apparent to Tom Brady under Bill Belichick.
352 days ago Jones showed he can handle the bright lights of college football’s biggest stage, but with the help of some very talented guys making him look good. Tonight, Jones will have a chance to show the world he might just be the guy to lead the Patriots back to the top of the NFL mountain, but he’ll need the help of some very capable guys around him to do it.