New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien explained Tuesday why he believes struggling quarterback Mac Jones will continue to be the team's starter in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Bill O’Brien says he anticipates Mac Jones starting this Sunday vs Raiders.
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) October 10, 2023
I ask him if he thinks Mac Jones could benefit from a mental break.
“There’s no time for mental breaks.” pic.twitter.com/CmpWvPaASE
Bill O’Brien talks about Mac starting this Sunday vs the Raiders and why he doesn’t get a “mental break” pic.twitter.com/5yGwtygh7b
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) October 10, 2023
New England's point total has dropped in every game this season, bottoming out during the 34-0 home shutout loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 5. It's no coincidence that Jones's numbers have steadily gotten worse over the first five games as well.
The Alabama product began the year by going 35-for-54 with 316 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception for a 91.3 quarterback rating against a tough Philadelphia Eagles defense in a Week 1 home loss. Jones had season bests in completions, passing yards, touchdowns and quarterback rating in the contest.
Following a Week 2 "Sunday Night Football" home defeat against the Miami Dolphins where the 25-year-old had a season-high 73.8 completion percentage with 231 more passing yards, the team won on the strength of their defense in Week 3 against the New York Jets. Jones went just 15-for-29 with 201 passing yards and one touchdown against the Jets, tossing one interception as well, as the Patriots triumphed over their AFC East rivals, 15-10.
The last two games for the 2021 Pro Bowler and New England's offense have been abysmal.
The Patriots' 38-3 blowout loss in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys was the biggest defeat of the Bill Belichick era and Jones finished 12-for-21 with 150 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions for an atrocious 39.9 quarterback rating. Somehow the former No. 15 overall pick was even worse during the team's defeat at the hands of the Saints, finishing 12-for-22 with 110 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions for a 30.5 quarterback rating.
Sunday was the first time that New England was shut out in over seven years. The last blanking came on Oct. 2, 2016, in Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills, when Tom Brady was serving the fourth and final game of his "Deflategate" suspension.
As the lowest-producing offense in the league, the Patriots are now being outscored by Eagles star kicker Jake Elliott 59-55.
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