Mac Jones Miscues Lead to Big New England Patriots Deficit at Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are adding insult to injury in their Week 4 matchup with the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium.
With New England already reeling from the loss of star rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez to a shoulder injury, quarterback Mac Jones committed a trio of costly mistakes which cost New England significant points on the scoreboard.
With less than two minutes remaining in the half, Jones attempted a pass intended for receiver Kendrick Bourne that was picked by Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland, who returned the pick 54 yards giving the Cowboys a 28-3 lead.
But wait … there’s more.
After New England to convert a fourth-down quarterback sneak — a rush in which it appeared that Jones stopped short of the first-down marker, despite a solid push from his offensive line — Jones fumbled the ball on an attempt to extend a second-and-12 from the Pats own eight year line on their next offensive possession.
In addition to exhibiting poor protection of the football, Jones was caught unaware by Dallas defender Dante Fowler from behind. Fowler stripped the ball from Jones, for it to be recovered by Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.
However, the Cowboys had one more trick left up their sleeve. Dallas; field goal unit quickly recognized the Pats 11-man Pats blocking scheme on the extra-point attempt. Holder Bryan Anger instead dropped back and found defensive tackle Chauncey Golston for the two-point conversion.
The Cowboys tacked on a 23-yard field goal, putting New England into a 21-3 deficit with time winding down in the second quarter, before Bland’s pick-six.
Mac Jones and Bill Belichick
Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald
Following their 15-10 victory over the New York Jets in Week 3, the Pats have the chance to earn a .500 record for the first time this season. Still, the task at hand will be difficult, as the Cowboys are still feeling the sting from their surprising 28-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals last week.
New England is without the services of stating cornerback Jonathan Jones (ankle) and left guard Cole Strange (knee) who are inactive due to injury. Conversely, Dallas is devoid of starting left tackle Tyron Smith.
The Patriots and Cowboys are meeting for the first time since the Cowboys' 35-29 overtime win at Gillette Stadium in October 2021. It was the Cowboys first win in four tries in Foxboro at Gillette. The Patriots, in turn, are facing Dallas at AT&T Stadium for the second time in team history. In their first meeting, New England defeated Dallas, 30-6 in October 2015.
