FOXBORO — The Patriots pressured 5 turnovers of their AFC divisional-round win over the Texans on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, however they didn’t precisely make the most of Houston’s miscues.
The Patriots offense didn’t convert any of these turnovers into factors, however New England can thank veteran cornerback Marcus Jones for making C.J. Stroud critically pay for one in every of his 4 first-half interceptions.
Jones received beneath an errant Stroud cross and raced 26 yards to pay grime, carrying Texans extensive receiver Xavier Hutchison for the final a number of yards earlier than spinning into the tip zone for a defensive landing with 10:31 left within the second quarter. Jones’ rating erased an early 10-7 deficit and the Patriots by no means trailed once more.
“We put in a variety of work, the defensive facet, offensive facet, particular groups,” Jones stated. “We all know what we invested in. It got here all the way down to all that preparation and stuff like that. We undoubtedly have the situational confidence when it comes all the way down to it. And man, simply attempt to be proper place, proper time.”
Jones made positive to offer credit score to edge rusher Okay’Lavon Chassion for forcing Stroud right into a horrendous cross. Stroud was searching for tight finish Harrison Bryant within the flat, however he tripped and fell within the backfield when he crossed the road of scrimmage, leaving Chassion proper in Stroud’s face. As an alternative of taking the sack — it was the primary play of Houston’s drive — Stroud pressured issues and was hit as he threw by Chassion.
Stroud’s cross wobbled excessive into the air and Jones received beneath it in a crowd like he was fielding a punt earlier than taking off to the tip zone.
“We knew that C.J., on the finish of the day, when it comes all the way down to it, having solely four-man rushes, three-man rushes, he can cube defenses up,” Jones stated. “So, our fundamental factor was to have strain. And I’m glad that we brought about what we brought about immediately.”
Whereas Carlton Davis and Craig Woodson received their first picks in a Patriots uniform Sunday, getting his arms on the soccer and moving into the tip zone isn’t something new for Jones. He had had an interception return for a landing earlier this season in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals and introduced again two punts for touchdowns as nicely.
However this rating provided just a little little bit of redemption for Jones. On the Texans’ earlier offensive possession, Jones had tight protection on Christian Kirk with Houston dealing with a third-and-4 from the Patriots 10 yard-line. The Patriots despatched a blitz that the Texans picked up and Stroud, who completed the day 20-for-47 passing with 212 yards, made arguably his greatest throw of the day when he match the cross via a good window to Kirk for a landing.
Jones and the Patriots, identical to they’ve achieved all season, bounced again in an enormous means. They confirmed their resiliency and stored coming after Stroud, not solely till he cracked, however till he shattered.
“They’re taking part in nicely collectively,” stated Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel of his protection. “I really feel like they’re complementing one another, and our turnovers are created by a couple of man. There’s some nice efforts. However it’s anyone tipping a cross or it’s anyone that’s placing strain that’s normally serving to — or (interim defensive coordinator) Zak (Kuhr’s) dialing one thing up that sort of adjustments the look. We’re benefiting from our alternatives. And that’s what it’s going to soak up the playoffs, is you’ve received to deal with the ball and switch it over.”
Jones making performs all around the subject has turn into a staple within the Patriots’ run to the AFC Championship Recreation. And the Patriots will want a number of extra out of him if they’ll defeat the Broncos on the highway and head off to the Tremendous Bowl.
