New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones will get his first introduction into the team’s rivalry with the Indianapolis Colts. Given how often these two have locked horns over the last few decades, Indy and New England can be counted on for some physical, usually high-scoring, contests.
The Colts have been white-hot of late, as their Jonathan Taylor-led offense and suddenly unified defense have them positioned to make a run at a postseason spot if they play their cards right. They will still need to get past Jones and the Patriots if they want to cement themselves as true contenders.
Indy started with some very tough talk when linebacker Bobby Okereke claimed Indianapolis will work on taking the running game away and try to make the Patriots a “one-dimensional” offense. Okereke seems to be hinting that Jones isn’t capable of winning the game with his arm alone in his eyes.
Jones took the high road when asked about Okereke’s comments. Not wanting to motivate the Colts, Jones went down the usual Patriots road by hyping up his opponents and avoiding the temptation to give the media salacious quotes.
Mac Jones Responds To Bulletin-Board Material From Colts' Linebacker Bobby Okereke https://t.co/TLjIJ74EtP
— WBZ Boston Sports (@wbzsports) December 15, 2021
Patriots QB Mac Jones didn’t give the Colts bulletin-board material.
“No, Everyone has their opinions,” Jones said. “My job is to be the best quarterback I can be and I can do a better job of that every day at practice. That’s what I can control.”
The Colts seem to be talking a ton of smack from a team that ranks 16th in the league in opposing passer rating. Keep in mind that those numbers are inflated from playing the Jets, Dolphins, Jaguars, and Texans twice.
The Patriots will try to get Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson going against a very impressive Colts defensive line, but the idea that Jones can’t win games with his arm doesn’t make sense. This is the same guy with just two interceptions in seven consecutive victories.
Mac Jones shrugs his shoulders when asked whether or not he feels motivated by some of the commentary out of Indy this week: "Everyone has their opinions, and my job is to be the best quarterback I can be."
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) December 15, 2021
Jones might not be the most quotable quarterback in the world, but the Patriots have a formula for success, and that formula does not include the quarterback talking out of turn and pumping up his opponents.
Let’s play devil’s advocate for a second here. Let’s say Jones has to win this game with his arm. All he has to do is lean on players like Kendrick Bourne and Hunter Henry against an inexperienced, beat-up Colts secondary. That sounds doable for a player that has already proven his quality several times over.
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