The New England Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills 14-10 on Monday night, and they did so in spite of their passing game.
New England quarterback Mac Jones had a historic evening but not for any good reasons. Thanks to some very windy weather, Jones finished the night with two completions on just three pass attempts for 19 yards. It’s the second-fewest passes attempted in an NFL game since the 1970 merger.
Mac Jones’ night was… historic.
His three pass attempts are the second-fewest attempts by a team in a game since the 1970 merger. pic.twitter.com/aTWO7Yj6VB
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 7, 2021
The two completions also tied for the fewest in a game in Patriots history while the three attempts are the fewest in Patriots history.
The Patriots won tonight completing 2 of 3 passes for 19 yards. The 2 pass completions are tied for their fewest in a single game in franchise history.
The three pass attempts are the fewest in a single game in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/RQAz85UXLY
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 7, 2021
The Patriots are also the first team to actually win a game since 1974 despite having three or fewer passing attempts.
The Patriots only attempted THREE PASSES and still beat the Bills ⬇️
Mac Jones: 2/3 | 19 PASS YDS
They’re the first team since 1974 to win an NFL game attempting 3 or fewer passes 😳https://t.co/rkXLW8SsbC
— Overtime (@overtime) December 7, 2021
Jones actually only had one attempt and completion in the first half, and it seemed like he might finish the game that way until very late in the fourth quarter when the Patriots passing attack came alive…for two attempts.
If you were hoping to see Mac Jones only complete one pass the entire night, blame Joe Buck. #ManningCast pic.twitter.com/5gm1il0O23
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 7, 2021
There’s been a lot of talk about how Jones has succeeded by doing what’s asking of him during his rookie year and tonight might have been the perfect example. It’s hard to screw up too much when you’re only asked to attempt three passes in one game. Many folks about thrown comparisons around between Jones and other elite quarterbacks and, well, maybe this game will cool some jets for a while.
In the meantime, there were plenty of jokes to be made about Jones and his passing game, or lack thereof, on Monday night.
Mac Jones hasn’t missed a pass all night. Haters are awfully quiet
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) December 7, 2021
Sean McDermott threw a challenge flag, meaning he's thrown as much as Mac Jones today
— katherine fitzgerald (@kfitz134) December 7, 2021
Tom Brady posted a 100% completion percentage in the first half twice in 20 years with the Patriots
Mac Jones has done it twice in one year
Makes you think
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 7, 2021
Mac Jones, with two minutes remaining in the third quarter and the No. 1 seed in the AFC on the line, has more runs than passes, and people say he's not a dual-threat QB.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) December 7, 2021
I would drive a golf cart into a pond https://t.co/V4RqCBNkje
— Treb (@treblaw) December 7, 2021
No wonder the Patriots don’t want anyone talking to Mac. They’re wrapping him in as much protection as they possibly can. And hey, they won the game, so who are we to judge?
