Mac throws 3 times as Pats top Bills
Late in the first quarter Monday night, Mac Jones faked a handoff, dropped back, and slightly overthrew tight end Jonnu Smith, who made a spectacular catch after first leaping up to bat the ball out of the wind.
Every other handoff motion from Jones after then was decidedly real, as that pass was followed by 31 consecutive run plays. Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick let their rookie QB throw the ball just three times total, and the predictable run-only offense worked just fine. An assortment of Patriots carried the ball a combined total of 46 times for 222 yards in a 14-10 win over the Bills, and New England has now won seven straight for sole possession of the AFC’s best record at 9-4.
The wind was brutal in Buffalo on Monday, as Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed a key field goal late from extra point distance, and even cannon-armed QB Josh Allen could barely move the ball through the air, going just 15 for 30 and 145 yards.
The Patriots were the first NFL team in at least 43 years to throw just one pass in the first half, and their three attempts were the least since Joe Ferguson’s two in 1974 — also in Buffalo. (When the Broncos had all of their quarterbacks out last year due to COVID, they still attempted nine passes.)
On ESPN’s Manningcast, Peyton Manning revealed that the constraints on Jones go beyond the field. Manning said that he had talked to every other quarterback of a game he was broadcasting this year, but Jones politely passed him off to Patriots public relations, who in turn rebuffed him. Mac’s handoffs speak for themselves.
ALLEN OUT WITH COVID
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen was placed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.
Coach Brandon Staley said Allen’s status “is day to day right now, and hopefully we’ll have some good news on him in the next few days.”
The Chargers (7-5) — who are in possession of the AFC’s second
wild-card spot — host the Giants this week before a key matchup against the Chiefs on Dec. 16.
If Allen is vaccinated, he could return to practice if he remains symptom free and has two negative tests at least 24 hours apart. He is tied for second in the league with 86 receptions and is 71 yards away from his fourth 1,000 yard season in the past five years.
The Chargers have had a recent
run of COVID-19 cases. Defensive tackle Linval Joseph remains in league protocols while defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, Christian Covington and linebacker Drue Tranquill missed at least 10 days last month. Linebacker Joey Bosa sat out five days and tested negative leading up to the Nov. 21 game against Pittsburgh because he was an unvaccinated close contact.