Bad calls, self-inflicted wounds cost Patriots

It’s time to move on from all of the quarterback controversy talk in New England. Granted, that has obviously died down in recent weeks, but it needs to die out completely after Mac Jones’ stellar performance on Thursday night.

Despite the dark cloud settling overhead for the Patriots throughout the game, Jones carved up the Vikings defense by throwing 28-of-39 for 382 yards and two touchdowns. It was easily his best performance of the season, and it followed a strong showing against the New York Jets.

If we’re being completely honest, the criticisms surrounding Jones haven’t been fair this season given the conditions he’s had to work under. Rewind back and remember how bad legendary quarterback Tom Brady looked in his final season in New England when he had the reins of the offense.

Injuries are plaguing an offensive line that hasn’t been that good this season, and the receiving corps is full of a bunch of guys that can’t consistently get open. Jones has also dealt with the rocky transition from one of the league’s best offensive play-callers in Josh McDaniels to former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia taking over that job.

If this were a video game, Jones would be playing on All-Madden with all of the sliders turned to the maximum. That’s how difficult the Patriots have made this season for him.

And yet, throughout all of the problems and outside noise, he made a commitment towards improving, and he’s done exactly that on the football field. Bailey Zappe might be Mr. Cool, but Jones is ice cold in that regard.

The Patriots now have a foundation to build on for the rest of the season and years to come. They simply need to do a better job of trusting Jones and giving him the things he needs to at least have a chance of being successful under center.