Mac Jones had the first big last-minute comeback of his NFL career as the New England Patriots busted out of their slump and landed back in the victory column Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. The victory pushed New England to 2-5 on the season.
Here’s everything MassLive’s reporters had to say about Sunday’s comeback win, and where the team goes from here:
1. Mac Jones steps up with a big comeback
One of the biggest knocks against Jones in his career with the Patriots is that he’s struggled in clutch moments.
Jones has had chances to put the team on his back in late-game situations. However, he’d yet to engineer that marquee game-winning drive.
That all changed Sunday after the Patriots gave up a late lead. Jones and the Patriots marched down the field in the closing minutes at Jones hit Mike Gesicki for the game-winning touchdown.
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2. The Patriots bust out of their slump
New England was in the midst of one of its worst stretches in recent memory, sitting at 1-5 heading into this game. After multiple blowout losses and a heartbreaker last week, things were looking dire.
But then, against all odds, New England turned it around. Bill Belichick made a change that fixed up the O-line. The Patriots held Stefon Diggs in check. The team on the field looked far different from the Patriots from the first six weeks of the season.
3. Bill Belichick has a new contract
Sunday featured a surprise report drop from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that the Patriots had locked up Belichick on a long-term contract over the offseason. This comes after serious concerns over his job security in New England have bubbled up in recent weeks.
Belichick was asked about it after the game. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t go well.
4. Two lineup changes make a big difference
The Patriots made a change to their starting offensive line on Sunday when they bumped out Mike Onwenu from right guard to right tackles. The benefits were apparent, with the line putting together arguably its best game of the season.
Then there was rookie Pop Douglas, who returned to the field after missing time with a head injury. The dynamic rookie was one of the team’s biggest playmakers on the day on offense and special teams.
Everything else
- ‘How many yards did he get?’ Patriots finally hold Bills star in check
- Kendrick Bourne relieved and thankful after Patriots win
