Game Observations: Despite result, a promising start - Patriots.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England's 2021 season opener requires some perspective. Sure, it wasn't the final score the home team was hoping for, but when NFL teams begin their seasons with rookie quarterbacks under center, the results are usually slow in coming.

Since 2008, 23 teams in the league have started rookie quarterbacks, with only eight having finished that season with a winning record. What you need to look for, at least initially, is how that rookie QB handles the situation, the environment, the moment.

In that regard, Patriots fans should be encouraged by Mac Jones' debut in Foxborough, despite the 17-16 final score against Miami.

After coming under duress the first time he dropped back to pass and losing the football in the process (New England retained possession), Jones showed great pocket awareness, decisiveness with the football, and an overall command of what offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels asked him to do throughout the evening. Jones didn't seem to overthink things and played within his means.

The Patriots offense faced numerous third-down opportunities against Miami – 16, to be precise – and Jones and Co. converted a whopping 11 of them, compared to just 4-of-11 successful conversions by the Dolphins' O.

Jones and the Patriots will grow together over the course of the ensuing weeks and years. Though they didn't win Sunday night at Gillette, the coaches put Jones in positions to have success. He continued to show improvement in this game as he did during the summer, demonstrating that the Patriots just might have the right player for the future under center.

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https://www.patriots.com/news/game-observations-despite-result-a-promising-start

2021-09-13 00:23:43Z
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