The Jacksonville Jaguars and New Englands Patriots met in the 2017 AFC Championship game. One massive “bad call” led to a huge change in the game that eventually saw Patriots win 24-20.
The two franchises have been in somewhat of a rivalry ever since. That rivalry may have another layer after this weekend.
New England Patriots – Jacksonville Jaguars Beef Reignites
![Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) gives instructions to the offensive line while lined up behind center Luke Fortner (79) during early second quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Stadium for the Jaguars second preseason game of the season Saturday, August 17, 2024. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union] (Patriots)](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_24026107_168400517_lowres.jpg "Jaguars - Patriots Beef Suddenly Erupts Over Night (Report) 1")
Of course, Trevor Lawrence is the starter in Jacksonville, but Jones is the clear No. 2. He proved he can be trusted in that role on Saturday.
According to Sean Deveney:
Jones has been a model of efficiency throughout the preseason. He was 13-for-18 for a touchdown and 113 yards in the Jags’ 31-0 drubbing of the Falcons in the preseason finale, posting a quarterback rating of 106.9. In three games, Jones went 38-of-52 passing for 421 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions, and his rating of 115.9 is second among qualified quarterbacks.
Worse, though, was that after the game on Saturday, Jaguars coach Doug Pedersen took a direct swipe at the Patriots and their handling of Jones in his three star-crossed years in New England, which began with a Pro Bowl selection and deteriorated from there.
That only provides fuel for those who argue that Jones was always a good quarterback, but that it was Bill Belichick and his cadre of offensive coordinators that messed him up.
Here’s what Pedersen had to say after the Jacksonville win, via ESPN reporter Mike Reiss on Twitter/X:
“Mac has played extremely well in the last couple of weeks and has really bought into what we do. He’ll still revert back to his Patriots ways every now and then, and we have to remind him he’s in Jacksonville. But he’s done a good job managing and running the offense, getting everybody involved. He sees the field well, throws a good ball, so he’s done a good job.”
Only children and Casuals think he was the problem in New England
— OlaveCTE (@TaylorB1773) August 24, 2024
It’s amazing what some “constructive”/ good Head Coaching can do for a young QB, another wasted 1st round pick by BillB..?
— Don Mottola (@MottsClub56) August 25, 2024
As I suspected, he wasn’t the problem.
— Pro Football Rookie Analytics™ (@PFRAnalytics) August 24, 2024
New England was the problem honestly
— phantom (@ph9ntoms) August 24, 2024
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