Patriots Gameday: The bet is on Marcus Jones to come up big in Vegas
There is a good bet someone with the last name of Jones will have a big day when the New England Patriots take on the Las Vegas Raiders late Sunday afternoon.
While the hope is that it either Mac Jones, Jonathan Jones or Jack Jones has a big day and that guy named Chandler Jones on the other side don’t. It is rookie Marcus Jones who could have the greatest impact on this game because of what he can do in all three phrases of the game.
Over the past few weeks, Patriots have seen the 2022 third-round pick make a game-winning punt return against the New York Jets, score a 48-yard touchdown against the Buffalo Bills, and intercept a pass on defense in the team’s Monday night win against the Arizona Cardinals.
New England Patriots have an explosive asset in Marcus Jones
As a player emerging in all three facets of the game, Marcus Jones is quickly turning into the team’s swiss-army knife who can impact the game whenever he is on the field, wherever he is on the field. While what he can do in the return game is no surprise, his offensive presence has present surprise although he played some receiver in college.
"“He’s a smart football player,” Patriots quarterback Mac Jones said, via Patriots.com. “He does a great job on defense. We obviously see that, and clearly on special teams. He’s an all-around swiss-army knife type player. Working with him, he’s done a good job and lines up in the right spot. He knows what to do, and he cares, and that’s the biggest thing.“I think he’s super dynamic. We have a lot of guys like that – fast, quick-twitch. We have guys like that in our skill positions, and it’s all about making sure we finish those plays and get those explosives.”"
It is not like a Bill Belichick team to rely on a rookie, but in the case of Marcus Jones and his versatility, the team will count on him to make an impact play in some fashion, especially in this game against the Raiders. Whether it is a big return setting the offense up in good position, helping in the defensive backfield to limit a player like DeVante Adams or turning a quick screen into a big gain, it is a good bet some dynamic of his game will be utilized.
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Like players before him like Troy Brown and Julian Edelman, Marcus Jones is quickly shaping into one of those special, versatile talents Belichick loves to have in the game. With how the offense has struggled, it could be a Marcus Jones play in any of the three phrases of the game that could be the deciding score going up against a Josh McDaniels team that will be hungry for a victory.
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So, let’s get ready for some Marcus Jones excitement. It’s game day.