After losing two straight, the Patriots are back in the win column once again, improving on what they were able to do last week against Green Bay. The Patriots were in their red throwback uniforms, and they were able to beat the high scoring Detroit Lions and hold them to zero points. On offense, New England scored twenty-nine points, seventeen of which came off the foot of Nick Folk.
Coming into the game, Detroit was averaging thirty-five points a game, ripping off big runs and completing passes. This makes the shutout the defense put together even more impressive. The defensive line played well, particularly Matt Judon, who has been a shining star for the Patriots. In the secondary, there appears to be a young emerging cornerback, rookie Jack Jones, not to be confused with fellow New England cornerbacks Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones.
C/O to patspulpit.com
In the shutout, Jack Jones recorded his second interception for the second week straight. Jones’ first interception came in the form of a pick six on Aaron Rodgers last week on an out route. After that game, the confident rookie said; “Personally, I feel like it’s disrespectful to throw an out route on me.” Jones’ pick six was a huge turning point in that Green Bay game. Much like the Green Bay game, Jones’ interception came at a very good time in this one.
After the Patriots’ first opening drive resulting in a field goal, the Lions began to drive down the field as well, getting themselves into New England’s red zone. On a first and ten, Jared Goff threw a fade to tight end T.J. Hockenson, where Jack Jones made an impressive interception right along the Patriots sideline, getting both feet in.
The good hands and impressive footwork Jones exhibits may be attributed from his time playing wide receiver as well as corner in high school. At Long Beach Poly High in California, Jack Jones caught 106 passes for 1,556 yards and 16 touchdowns in his junior and senior year. Jones also made first-team all-state as a junior. Jones went on to play his college ball at Arizona state after making two stops at USC and Moorpark College.
At Arizona state, Jones showed big play ability, with him making contested interceptions, jumping routes, and causing fumbles. So far Jones’ ability to force turnovers seems to be transferring well into the NFL. Jack Jones’ stats at ASU were six interceptions, four forced fumbles, nineteen passes defended and ninety-two total tackles. Jones exhibited a fast, aggressive, and instinctual playstyle.
C/O to profootballrumors.com
At the NFL combine, Jack Jones impressed with his speed, recording a 4.51 second forty time. With the Patriots in need of speedy cornerbacks, they drafted Jones in the fourth round. In training camp, Jack Jones started to make is way into first team reps early with Malcolm Butler being placed on Injured Reserve and Terrance Mitchell eventually being downgraded to the practice squad.
When watching Jones, his speed is impressive, and he is always trying to rip the ball out of the runner’s hands. The only criticism of Jones is that he needs to improve his tackling, this may be due to his concentration of trying to strip the ball out so often. Through the first five weeks of his first NFL season, Jack Jones’ stats are as follows; twelve total tackles, three passes defended, one forced fumble, and two interceptions, one for a touchdown.
The twenty-four- year-old is proving himself to be a fine addition to the Patriots’ secondary, with him being at the top of the NFL’s top cornerback coverage grades through week five with ninety-two. Fellow New England Corner Jonathan Jones currently sits at number four overall with a coverage grade of 82.3. Things are starting to look up for New England, with their defense playing great football, and the offense starting to get in rhythm even with Mac Jones out. The Patriots will travel to Cleveland next week to take on the Browns, it will be interesting to see if Jack Jones can keep his great play up and continue to earn his respect as a dangerous defender in the NFL.
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