Mac Jones Surprisingly Helped the Patriots From Afar in Week 14

Former New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was starting for the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday after Trevor Lawrence was placed on injured reserve. Jones replaced Lawrence in the Jags’ loss last week to the Houston Texans after Lawrence was taken out of the game due to a violent hit delivered to his head/neck area.

The former Pats quarterback played well in relief duty against the Texans, completing 20-of-32 passes (62.5 percent) for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Jones couldn’t put together a similar performance against the Tennessee Titans, but it didn’t matter as the Jaguars walked away with a 10-6 win.

He completed 23-of-31 passes (74.2 percent) for 220 yards and two interceptions. With Jones helping the Jags to a win over their AFC South rival, he also did the Patriots a huge favor. 

As Brian Hines of PatsPulpit.com points out, the Patriots, who were on a bye week, jumped the Jaguars after Jacksonville won on Sunday. According to Tankathon.com, New England has the third overall pick, while the Jags have the fifth pick despite having the same record.

The Pats will return to practice this week in Foxboro as they are scheduled to play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Meanwhile, Jones and the Jags will invite Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets to the Sunshine State.

Both teams are slated as underdogs for Week 15 and if they both lose, the draft order could stay the same.

Along those same lines, if the Patriots stay at the No. 3, New England could have their choice of the best player available sans a QB. 

The Pats could take the top offensive lineman in the class or address their defense by taking Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, or Mykel Williams. New England could switch it up and add another playmaking wide receiver as this year’s class is loaded.

Nonetheless, the Patriots aren’t worried about the draft order right now as they want to get a big road win over the Cardinals in Week 15.

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