Pats hang a 50-burger on the Saints during beatdown in Foxborough
Any and all questions about whether the New England Patriots should keep Mac Jones as their starting quarterback seem silly now.
The question has been answered loud and clear with the Patriots rattling off five straight wins to become the AFC's top seed, adding to the winning streak with a complete and thorough 57-6 beatdown of the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
The Patriots got it started with a punt return for a touchdown by Kennu Nwangwu after Sam Howell had gotten sacked twice in the first three plays of the game. After another Saints drive that ended with a sack, Jones then led a seventeen play drive where New England converted four first downs before finding Stevie McCormick in the endzone. Jones would find McCormick once more in the second quarter, throwing four touchdowns in the first half before a single punt, two going to rookie tight end Dre Agnew who had a career day with 180 receiving yards.
Jones finished the game 19 of 30 for 253 yards and five touchdowns with rookie George Abraham replacing him in the third quarter. It was a solid showing for Abraham as well who threw for 73 yards and rushed for another 27 with a touchdown on the ground.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[NE] K. Nwangwu, returned punt 79 Yds (12:49)
[NE] S. McCormick 1 Yd pass from M. Jones (3:58)
Quarter 2
[NE] H. Butker, 34 Yd FG (13:11)
[NE] S. McCormick 3 Yd pass from M. Jones (9:12)
[NO] W. Bowles, 40 Y FG (6:02)
[NE] D. Agnew 12 Yd pass from M. Jones (1:22)
[NE] D. Agnew 10 Yd pass from M. Jones (0:30)
Quarter 3
[NO] W. Bowles, 23 Yd FG (7:30)
[NE] C. Rambo 32 Yd pass from M. Jones (4:37)
[NE] G. Abraham, 9 Yd run (2:21)
Quarter 4
[NE] H. Butker, 47 Yd FG (8:30)
[NE] Team Safety (4:35)
---------------------------------------------------------------- New Orleans Saints
QB Sam Howell: 23 of 37, 299 yards, sacked 10 times
HB Alvin Kamara: 11 carries, 30 yards, 4 receptions, 54 yards
WR Michael Thomas: 5 receptions, 76 yards
WR Marquez Callaway: 5 receptions, 52 yards
WR Shawn McCain: 2 receptions, 43 yards
S Jeremy Glover: 17 tackles
LB Pete Werner: 14 tackles, 3 tackles for loss
DE Donell Harris Jr: 5 tackles, tackle for loss, sack
New England Patriots
QB Mac Jones: 19 of 30, 253 yards, 5 touchdowns, sacked once (85.3 PFF grade)
QB George Abraham: 5 of 7, 73 yards, 4 carries, 27 yards, touchdown
HB Kenny McIntosh: 16 carries, 90 yards (85.2 PFF grade)
HB Kenneth Walker III: 14 carries, 56 yards (54.0 PFF grade)
HB Damien Harris: 11 carries, 51 yards (67.7 PFF grade)
TE Dre Agnew: 12 receptions, 180 yards, 2 touchdowns (100 PFF grade)
WR Rondale Moore: 3 receptions, 35 yards (71.0 PFF grade)
WR Charleston Rambo: 2 receptions, 50 yards, touchdown (66.9 PFF grade)
TE Darnell Washington: 2 receptions, 35 yards (87 PFF grade)
LT Patterson: 91.9 PFF grade | LG Quick: 84.9 PFF grade | C Mitchell: Did not finish game | RG Tomlinson: 99.9 PFF grade | RT Onwenu: 92.5 PFF grade
ILB Trez Marshall: 7 tackles, tackle for loss (72.3 PFF grade)
S Ashtyn Davis: 7 tackles, tackle for loss, sack (71.7 PFF grade)
IDL Quinnen Williams: 3 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks (100 PFF grade)
EDGE George Marshall: 3 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks (100 PFF grade)
Week 17 NFL Results
NE 57 - NO 6 | CAR 28 - TB 21 | LV 37 - TEN 31 | JAX 34 - BAL 17
MIN 31 - DET 24 | WAS 36 - KC 22 | DAL 34 - ATL 31 | PIT 31 - BUF 10
PHI 31 - ARI 28 | LAR 14 - SEA 12 | DEN 35 - LAC 14 | MIA 31 - NYJ 28
SF 28 - HOU 27 | CLE 21 - GB 13 | CHI 34 - NYG 13 | IND 28 - CIN 21
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Playoff Race AFC
1. New England, 13-3 z
2. Baltimore, 11-5 x (clinch AFC North with win at Seattle OR Pittsburgh loss at Detroit)
3. Houston, 9-7 (clinch AFC South with win at Rams OR Indianapolis loss at New Orleans OR Jacksonville loss at Tampa Bay)
4. Kansas City, 8-8 (clinch AFC West with win at Las Vegas OR Denver loss at Cincinnati)
5. Buffalo, 11-5 x
6. Pittsburgh, 10-6 x (clinch AFC North with win at Detroit AND Baltimore loss at Seattle)
7. Indianapolis, 8-8 (clinch AFC South with win at New Orleans AND Houston loss at Rams)
-- Jacksonville, 8-8 (clinch AFC South with win at Tampa Bay AND Houston loss at Rams AND Indianapolis loss at New Orleans)
-- NY Jets, 8-8 (clinch wild card spot with win at New England AND Jacksonville loss at Tampa AND Indianapolis loss at New Orleans)
-- Cincinnati, 8-8 (clinch wild card spot with win vs. Denver AND Jets loss at New England AND Jacksonville loss at Tampa AND Indianapolis loss at New Orleans)
-- Miami, 8-8 (clinch wild card spot with win vs. Buffalo AND Cincinnati loss vs. Denver AND Jets loss at New England AND Jacksonville loss at Tampa AND Indianapolis loss at New Orleans)
-- Denver, 7-9 (clinch AFC West with win at Cincinnati AND Kansas City loss at Las Vegas)
-- Las Vegas, 7-9 (clinch AFC West with win vs Kansas City AND Denver loss at Cincinnati)
NFC
1. NY Giants, 11-5 x
2. Arizona, 11-5 x
3. Chicago, 10-6 x
4. Atlanta, 8-8
5. San Francisco, 11-5 x
6. Dallas, 10-6 x
7. Minnesota, 9-7
-- Atlanta, 8-8
-- Tampa, 8-8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
QB Mac Jones (NE): 19 of 30, 253 yards, 5 touchdowns
LB Isaiah Golston (LV): 7 tackles, interception, touchdown
QB Tua Tagovailoa (WAS): 24 of 37, 317 yards, 3 touchdowns
LB Roquan Smith (CHI): 13 tackles, 3 sacks
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Injuries
T Sean Rhyan (ARI): Season (chest)
HB Michael Carter (ATL): Season (shoulder)
TE Foster Moreau (CAR): Season (shoulder)
WR Billy Kemp IV (CIN): Season (elbow)
S Demani Richardson (CLE): Season (knee)
C Tyler Biadasz (DAL): Season (knee)
HB Aaron Jones (GB): Season (knee)
HB Ronald Jones II (HOU): Season (ankle)
G Joe Thuney (KC): Season (shoulder)
DT Jaylen Carter (LAR): Season (knee)
S Marcus Williams (NO): Season (elbow)
HB Nick Robertson (PHI): Season (collarbone)
TE Jonnu Smith (TEN): Season (shoulder)
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (TB): Season (toe)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Race for No. 1 Pick
32. Seattle, 3-13
31. Tennessee, 4-12
30. LA Chargers, 4-12
Tomlin plans to rest starters as Patriots try to get healthy with bye in tow
After clinching a first round bye last week, New England Patriots head coach Mike Tomlin didn't hide his cards this week, announcing to the world that many of New England's key players will not be playing in the season finale against the New York Jets.
New England already ruled out receivers Rondale Moore and Odell Beckham Jr. with Moore being the latest addition to the injury report after suffering a rib injury in the blowout win over the New Orleans Saints. Beckham had already missed last week's game and both receivers return in time for the divisional round is in question although things are more optimistic for Beckham Jr. as he continues to rehab from a torn labrum.
The Patriots will likely be without center Lane Mitchell who played just seven snaps against the Saints before leaving the game with a tear in his knee cartilage. Mitchell will more than likely miss part of the playoffs, an injury that will be aided by Eric Alexander's return after the second-year guard missed the last two games with an injury of his own. Alexander isn't expected to play this game but is expected to be back in time for the playoffs. With Alexander back, New England will have a few options along the offensive line, either sliding him back to center where he played last season and leaving Pierce Quick at left guard, whose had success in Alexander's absence. The other option is Geoff Man who replaced Mitchell last week at center and held his own in his first appearance this season.
With the starters not expected to play, rookie George Abraham is in line for his first career start. On the season, he's thrown for 227 yards, completing 69 percent of his passes with four passing touchdowns and four more on the ground.
Should the AFC standings hold through the weekend, New England will likely play either (7) Indianapolis (6) Pittsburgh, (5) Buffalo or (4) Kansas City, who they have all beaten
this season except for the Colts who they have yet to play. The Patriots -- mostly their backups -- will also get a chance to keep the Jets out of the playoffs as they are out of wild card contention with a loss.
Injuries
NYJ FB Victor Tucker (toe)
-----------
NE WR Odell Beckham Jr. (labrum)
NE LG Eric Alexander (labrum)
NE NT Akiem Hicks (thumb)
NE WR Rondale Moore (ribs)
NE C Lane Mitchell (knee)
Jets kicked out of the playoffs in blowout loss to Patriots
With their season already wrapped up, the New England Patriots had every opportunity and right to pack it in against the New York Jets as they got ready for the playoffs. They did as much, sitting several starters and key players but Mac Jones and a few others were on the field, proving to be just too much for the Jets to handle.
For the second straight week, New England completely dismantled their opponent, outscoring the Jets 65-6 despite Jones and the offensive starters playing just the first quarter in Sunday's victory.
Jones scrambled for a touchdown and threw one on the run to Charleston Rambo before being replaced by rookie quarterback George Abraham who would throw for four touchdowns and rush for another one, finding fellow rookie tight end Dre Agnew early and often to the tune of eight receptions on thirteen targets for 103 yards.
Stevie McCormick also had his best day as a Patriot, catching a season high four receptions for a career high 103 yards and two touchdowns.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[NE] M. Jones, 1 Yd run (10:14)
[NE] C. Rambo 8 Yd from M. Jones (5:08)
Quarter 2
[NYJ] C. Boswell, 42 Yd FG (12:13)
[NE] S. McCormick 6 Yd pass from G. Abraham (7:54)
[NE] H. Butker, 38 Yd FG (3:16)
[NE] H. Butker, 25 Yd FG (0:15)
Quarter 3
[NE] J. Landry 6 Yd pass from G. Abraham (12:40)
[NYJ] C. Boswell, 39 Yd FG (9:03)
[NE] G. Abraham, 8 Yd run (6:17)
[NE] S. McCormick 54 Yd pass from G. Abraham (4:54)
[NE] J. Landry 4 Yd pass from G. Abraham (0:00)
Quarter 4
[NE] H. Butker, 37 Yd FG (12:24)
[NE] K. Walker III, 3 Yd run (1:19)
---------------------------------------------------------------- New York Jets
QB Zach Wilson: 20 of 42, 284 yards, 2 interceptions, sacked 8 times
HB Marlon Mack: 14 carries, 46 yards
TE Tyler Conklin: 6 receptions, 76 yards
WR Miles Young: 4 receptions, 46 yards
WR Chris Godwin: 3 receptions, 88 yards
WR Zeke Fowler: 1 reception, 36 yards
LB Krys Barnes: 12 tackles
S Kyle Hamilton: 10 tackles, tackle for loss
CB C.J. Henderson: 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
