Mac Jones watched Jets film within hours of loss to Dolphins

New England quarterback Mac Jones thoroughly impressed during his NFL bow despite the Patriots’ 17-16 loss to division rival Miami.

Jones’ laser-focus was on show after giving away a gifted football following his first touchdown pass as a professional. The Alabama product has been euolgised for his mental approach to football, with many already suggesting it fits seamlessly with The Patriot Way.

In keeping with that persona, Jones moved ‘on to Cincinnati’ almost immediately after the loss. Well not quite Cincy, truthfully attention was turned to the New York Jets — New England’s next opponent. When quizzed, Jones admitted with a smile he’d watched Jets film just hours after the Pats’ loss.

“I mean it’s not fun to lose, so just learning from what we could have done better is definitely just the only thing you can do really,” Jones said, via Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal.

“You can sit there and feel bad for yourself for a little bit, because that’s your human [nature], and that’s what you’re supposed to do, or you’re in the wrong profession. But you’ve just got to move on. So the 24-hour rule – just after 24 hours. Some people it’s less, but for me after that, just move on and play the next play, play the next game. You’re only as good as your last game so we lost and that’s what people remember, so we just got to move forward.”

Jones showed composure beyond his years, completing 29/39 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown. If it weren’t for a rare fumble from running back Damien Harris — New England’s second on the day — with 3:31 remaining, Jones could’ve started his career with a win.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Jones said. “Just take it day-by-day and obviously there shouldn’t be any focus on the past. We just got to focus on what we need to get better at.

“That’s kind of for me. Just fundamentally what can I do each day, extra or whatever, just to improve so that when I get to the game we just play fast and we play better than we did last week.”

Jones and the Pats will look to improve upon their first hit-out when they take on division rivals, the New York Jets on Sunday.

Josh McDaniels reveals Patriots current starting QB

Is two better than one? That’s the question being posed around New England and their current quarterback situation.

New England has a problem. Or maybe they don’t.

Both Cam Newton and Mac Jones looked like starters against a torrid Philadelphia Eagles defense, filled with backups on Thursday.

Jones completed 13/19 for 146 yards. Despite 0 touchdowns, he lead three scoring drives. Meanwhile his counterpart Newton threw a touchdown, finishing with 8-of-9 passes for 103 yards.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels spoke to local reporters on earlier today, asked who the Week 1 starter may be and when the decision would be finalized.

“I know this is going to sound silly, but I haven’t really worried about it,” McDaniels said, via NESN’s Ryan Hannable.

“I think that decision from Bill [Belichick] will be made when the time is right to make it. Cam certainly is the starter now, and he has done a good job. He has gone in there, he played well the other night. He’s practiced well. But, I know those guys are really competing hard and we’re giving them an opportunity to compete and play a lot of football.

“… I am very pleased with the effort that we’re putting in at the quarterback position, the improvements we’re making, and the way that we’re attempting to run the offense. Everything isn’t perfect. We still have a long way to go and things we can work on and improve and make better, but I think the desire to do it, the way we want to do it to the standard that we’re trying to hold them to I think is right where we want it to be.”

Despite Cam being the current starter, McDaniels gave no assurances it would be an irreversible decision.

“Honestly, our focus is on trying to get them to do everything that they are practicing or doing in the games to the best of their ability, and seeing them improve and focusing on the things where maybe this is an area we need to get better at.”

Could a dual QB1 situation come to fruition in Foxboro, though?

“I have not stopped for one second to think about how to utilize multiple people in the same game. I am encouraged by all our quarterbacks in terms of the way they are working, some of the things they have been able to do in our competitive practices, and some of the things they have done in the preseason games. I am encouraged by that,” McDaniels said.

“But, we have a lot of work ahead of us this week, a great opportunity to get better both on our own and against the Giants and then following it up in the game on Sunday night. I am excited to do that and that is where my focus is.”

New England take on their old foe New York at Metlife Stadium. The game kicks off at 6:00 PM EDT.