Mac Jones ‘Knew Coverage’ on Key Interception in New England Patriots Loss to Miami Dolphins

FOXBORO — The New England Patriots appeared to be finding success by using a familiar formula on offense in their Week 8 matchup with the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

However, one costly, second-quarter throw from quarterback Mac Jones found its way into the hands of Miami cornerback Jalen Ramsey — thus swinging the pendulum of fate too far in the wrong direction of what would ultimately be a 31-17 loss for the Pats.

“I knew the coverage, I knew everything,” Jones said of the pick which Ramsey returned for 49 yards. “I just made a bad throw really late. I didn't really drive it.”

Facing a 14-7 deficit with time winding down in the first half, Jones and the Patriots had traveled 52 yards on eight plays — enhanced by a pair of receptions from receivers DeVante Parker (14 yards) and Demario Douglas (13 yards) respectively. Following a six-yard completion to Kendrick Bourne, Jones and company faced a first-and-10 from the Miami 23-yard line with just under two minutes remaining.

Ramsey, however, demonstrated the field savvy which has earned him three All-Pro selections by baiting Jones into making the sideline throw to Bourne by teasing coverage against Parker. The Pats quarterback made a poor throw which allowed Ramsey easy access. Jones' eighth interception of the season gave Miami the ball at New England’s 40-yard line with less than two minutes remaining in the half. The Dolphins added an additional three points on a 30-yard field goal from Jason Sanders to take a 17-7 halftime lead.

Despite Ramsey's heads-up read, Jones ultimately served himself the helping of blame pie for the play's failure, acknowledging that this decision to make the throw was likely incorrect based on the All-Pro cornerback's field position.

"That's what happens on that play," Jones added. "The guy either takes it and it's a touchdown or the guy falls off and nothing happened. But you can't do that as a quarterback, [you have to] just throw it out of bounds or take the checkdown and move on.”

Jones' explanation of his ill-fated interception also helped to confirm an apparent goal of the Patriots to keep the ball out of Ramsey's reach. The Pats quarterback completed only 4 of 7 for five yards and an interception when targeting the left side of the field — coincidentally the same side patrolled by Ramsey. Jones went 15 of 21 for 156 yards and two touchdowns when targeting the middle and right thirds of the gridiron.

“He looked good," Jones said of Ramsey. "I mean, he fell off on the one play and made a play. That's what he does. He's a good player and was very productive."

Though Miami is often effusively praised for the explosive nature of their offense, it was their defense that effectively rose to the challenge of exploiting New England's weaknesses on offense. Dolphins' defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was able to use a combination of smart pressure and stout coverage in the secondary to keep Jones and the Pats from gaining regular offensive rhythm. In doing so, they held the Pats to only 218 total yards in what the Pats third-year starter touted as a "total team effort."

“It’s one of those things they do well," Jones said. "It's easy to do with a scheme, but then when you got really good players as well, you get both. So, they've got both over there. Like I said, it's a good football team with a lot of talent everywhere. Really, veteran guys that play a lot of football, so respect to them. They had our card today."

New England will look to regain control of that card in Week 9 when they host the Washington Commanders for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.