Mac Jones sums up Patriots’ poor begin: ‘I feel we’re 20 yards away from being 2-0’

For the primary time since 2001, the Patriots have opened a brand new NFL season with an 0-2 file.

It’s been a irritating begin for Mac Jones and the remainder of the Patriots, who’ve but to land within the win column regardless of orchestrating two fourth-quarter rallies towards the Eagles and Dolphins.

New England trailed the Eagles, 16-0, on the finish of the primary quarter in Week 1, however an opportunity to win the sport within the closing minutes of the fourth quarter in the end ended with a failed fourth-down conversion.

In opposition to Miami, New England trailed 10-0 at one level and exited the sphere to boos at halftime following a 17-3 deficit.

As soon as once more, the Patriots had an opportunity to orchestrate one other game-tying drive with just a little over two minutes left in regulation. However it ended with one other turnover on downs after Cole Unusual got here up simply brief following an impromptu lateral toss from Mike Gesicki. 

The Patriots ’offense has been affected by inconsistent stretches by the primary two weeks of the 2023 season, particularly on the subject of the run sport and go safety.

However even with a few of the constructive positive aspects made by Jones and Co. in crunch time, the Patriots’ QB admitted that there are not any silver linings to attract from video games the place New England in the end comes up brief.

“I simply gotta get higher at these and proceed to develop,” Jones stated on WEEI’s “Jones and Mego” present on Monday night. “I feel we’re 20 yards away from being 2-0, however on the similar time, that’s the NFL.”

“I feel it’s simply execution,” Jones added when requested about New England’s stalled comebacks. “Simply easy soccer. For me, footwork, timing and all that stuff. Attempting to get it to the best man. It applies in another way to completely different guys. Undoubtedly the execution, going by the performs and gotta be higher.”

New England’s struggles on essential drives within the fourth quarter might be negated if the Patriots keep away from falling into sizable deficits shifting ahead — with most of their early woes self-inflicted.

Over their two losses, the Patriots have relinquished 33 factors within the first half, with 20 of these factors coming off of turnovers.

“You guys hold speaking about how shut it’s,” Jones stated of the Patriots’ outcomes. “Simply making an attempt to shut the hole on shut, proper? The one manner to do this is figure tougher, work smarter. Longer days. No matter you are able to do to carry everyone alongside. We simply have to do this.”

The Patriots nonetheless have 15 video games left on their 2023 docket. However the odds don’t precisely favor New England’s playoff odds following their 0-2 begin. For the reason that 1990 season, simply 11.5% of groups who begin 0-2 have gone on to clinch a playoff spot.

Jones and the Patriots will look to proper the ship in a pivotal highway matchup towards Zach Wilson and the Jets on Sunday afternoon. New England has little to point out for his or her collective play to date this season, however Jones believes that the staff’s confidence hasn’t wavered amid two weeks of setbacks.

“Undoubtedly loads of soccer left to play, and [Matthew] Slater is certainly a superb particular person to lean on,” Jones stated of New England’s veterans. “He’s seen lots, been on loads of good groups, so simply making an attempt to study from him, David [Andrews], all of the older guys.

“And for me, simply try to suppose again to even 2021 after we didn’t have a terrific begin and simply stored pushing and that’s actually all you are able to do. So simply wanting ahead to the problem. Undoubtedly bought a giant one this week and simply gotta go on the market and concentrate on us. Actually that’s what it begins.”