New England Patriots
“KB has introduced a lot vitality, a lot juice to this crew, and we love and recognize him a lot.”
A pair of Patriots are thriving out on the West Coast.
Former New England QB Mac Jones improved to 3-0 this season as a starter for the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday — serving to his crew beat the Rams in additional time, 26-23, at SoFi Stadium.
Beginning rather than injured QB Brock Purdy as soon as once more, Jones accomplished 33-of-49 for 342 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer score of 100.9.
“I don’t actually take note of a lot to it,” Jones told ESPN’s Nick Wagoner of San Francisco entering the game as 8.5-point underdogs. “[San Francisco coach] Kyle [Shanahan] got here as much as me, and he was pissed about it.
“He’s like, ‘Dude, I can’t imagine they moved us to underdogs once more,’ or like extra [extreme underdogs] or no matter. And I’m like, ‘I don’t know what which means actually, [but] like, yeah, let’s go kill them.’ He was pissed about it. I used to be like, ‘Yeah, I’m pissed, too.’”
Jones unfold the wealth by way of his passing targets on Thursday, however his major possibility was former Patriots wideout Kendrick Bourne — who set profession highs with 10 receptions for 142 yards. Eight of these catches resulted in first downs.
“KB has introduced a lot vitality, a lot juice to this crew, and we love and recognize him a lot,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk advised Wagoner of Bourne’s contributions. “Guys which have performed with him earlier than knew that, however I believe everybody that hasn’t has seen it instantly. He’s positively helped spark this crew.”
Bourne, who signed with San Francisco on Sept. 9 after being launched by New England in August, already has a powerful rapport with Jones. The 30-year-old wideout had the very best season of his profession with Jones as his QB in 2021 — posting 55 catches for 800 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Jones took his fair proportion of hits throughout Thursday’s win, at one level struggling a knee harm within the third quarter earlier than remaining within the recreation.
“He performed his ass off,” Shanahan stated of Jones. “He was unbelievable within the first half. Received banged up just a little bit there within the second half, and battled by it, and guarded the ball.
“Going towards that protection and throwing the ball that many occasions and never having a turnover and defending it like he did, I can’t say sufficient good issues about Mac.”
Jones has been an important slot in Shanahan’s system up to now, with the previous 2021 first-round choose throwing for 904 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception in three video games begin rather than Purdy.
Becoming a member of Shanahan appears to have offered Jones with the clear slate that he was searching for after three tumultuous seasons in Foxborough.
Initially drafted by New England with the hopes of being the crew’s subsequent franchise QB, Jones was ultimately benched throughout the 2023 season after he threw 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions throughout 11 video games.
He was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars forward of the 2024 season in alternate for a 2024 sixth-round choose. Enjoying for his hometown crew, Jones threw eight touchdowns and eight interceptions throughout 10 video games (seven begins) after Trevor Lawrence was injured.
After signing a two-year cope with the 49ers this previous offseason, Jones seems to be a stable addition to a system that’s taking part in to his strengths.
As noted by Next Gen Stats, 28 of Jones’ 33 completions on Thursday have been on passes below 10 yards — together with each of his landing throws.
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