FOXBORO, Mass — New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones had one of his finest days as a pro Sunday and the Cleveland Browns certainly noticed.
When you a win an NFL game 45-7, clearly something is going right. The Patriots signal caller finished the day 19-of-23 passing with 198 passing yards and three touchdowns. Jones was efficient once again and now has finished six games with a completion percentage of 70% or better — just three off of the NFL rookie record of nine set by Dak Prescott in 2017.
Jones’ overall stats looked good Sunday, but to go even further he completed a few flat out impressive throws. He fit a ball perfectly through a tight window in traffic to Kendrick Bourne for an early touchdown and also threw perfect over-the-shoulder ball to tight end Hunter Henry in the third quarter.
After the game, the Browns players and coaching staff were effusive with their praise for the rookie quarterback, but defensive end Myles Garrett might’ve had the highest praise.
“I think he did a good job. He was quick, we weren’t trying to give him too much time in the pocket because it felt like we’re dominant rushers but when he was back there with that three-step drop and getting the ball out he was getting the ball out where it needed to be,” Garrett said afterwards. “He was making some great throws for his year, for his age and if he continues to do that he’ll be one of the best.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski touched on Jones’ play and specifically the team’s success on the third down — including going six-for-six in the first half — Sunday.
“I think Mac Jones in particular, but their offense played really well. We could not get them off on third down,” Stefanski said.
Cleveland’s Pro-Bowl guard Joel Bitonio saw a lot of positives from the rookie quarterback while on the sideline.
“They did a a good job. I thought they ran the ball and then took their shots when they had an opportunity. But he looked poised. They did a really good job,” Bitonio said. “They scored 45 points so they some really good things, but I thought they ran the ball well then took their shots and he looked pretty poised and accurate.”
Browns safety John Johnson III saw sharpness and mature play from the 23-year-old.
“He felt like he was in a situation where he just had to read a few things. He knew right where to go with the ball. He didn’t have trouble with seeing what we were in and finding the weakness in the zone,” Johnson said. “I tip my hat to him for having a good day and hope he has a good rest of the season.”
Even Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield joined in on the compliment fest, although he was more subdued.
“I thought Mac played well. I mean, their team won, so he played well,” Mayfield said.
Jones and the Patriots will look to carry the momentum right away and hopefully earn more compliments as they travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons on Thursday night.
