If you aren’t a New England Patriots fan, you may have thought Mac Jones was not in the Christmas spirit against the Cincinnati Bengals on Christmas Eve.
Jones appeared to have been a part of a few "dirty plays" during the Patriots' 22-18 loss against the Bengals. There is a video circulating of what looks like Jones tripping Bengals cornerback Eli Apple while Germaine Pratt attempted to return what was thought to be a fumble by Jones into the end zone.
The play was eventually called an incomplete pass and intentional grounding by Jones.
“Of course I did (notice it). He tripped me,” Apple told NESN when asked about Jones taking out his legs. “I thought it was a dirty play. He’s done that before. I’ve seen it.”
Not sure about this move from Mac Jones. pic.twitter.com/NlXdkknko8
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) December 24, 2022
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The NFL will be reviewing the play, per Pro Football Talk. Some form of discipline could be enacted following a review, though it is unknown what the punishment would be.
It is not the first time Jones has been involved in questionable plays considered “dirty." In 2021, the Patriots quarterback grabbed Panthers defensive end Brian Burns and injured his ankle following a fumble.
In October against the Bears, Jones slid and kicked out his lead leg that almost connected with safety Jaquan Brisker. Later in the game, Jones once again slid, kicking his lead leg high and landing below the belt of Brisker. Jones wasn't punished for the Brisker or Burns incidents.
Jones was later penalized for unnecessary roughness with a minute left in the game.
Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson had the ball inside the Bengals' 10-yard line but fumbled it. Jones attempted to aggressively recover the ball, even after the whistle had been blown multiple times. The Bengals recovered the ball. A rare unnecessary roughness penalty for a QB, Jones was charged with a 15-yard penalty.
The Bengals started their drive at their own 23-yard-line rather than the 8-yard-line, helping their punting position three plays later.
Jones attempted to explain his actions following the loss.
“I think obviously, there’s a little bit of a pile there, and then the ball squirted out actually into another pile,” Jones said, via NESN. “I went over there and tried to grab the ball to save the game. So at the end of the day, you’ve got to take your chance and try to get the ball, got to compete for the ball because it’s a live ball until somebody holds it up in the air. You’ve got to go get it, and that’s what I tried to do.”
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