During the Patriots loss to the Bills in week-12 evryone saw Mac Jones yelling on the sidelines after coming off the field in the 4th-quarter.
He then followed that with something to the likes of "The “short game” or “quick game” fucking sucks!"
It led me to wonder if he was warranted in complaining about the play calling lacking downfield targets, or maybe there were downfield targets and he was just not finding them. I decided to take a look at the All-22 film to see where the blame should have been directed.
I looked at every pass play and below is what I saw.
Here on the first pass attempt of the game you can see there are four receivers all within 10-yards of the line of scrimmage.
Pass #2
Once again, there are four receivers within 5-yards of the LOS.
Pass #3
There are two receivers that get a bit of depth here. But, both not very far down the field.
Pass #4
Here there is a vertical route but Jones didn't have the time to hit it.
Pass #5
This play is a designed screen pass to Stevenson, so this is the type of play that Jones was probably complaining about.
Pass #6
Another screen pass, but this one went for a TD in the 1st-quarter, so I doubt Jones was mad about this one. Marcus Jones took it 48-yards for the TD.
Pass #7
There is a possible vertical option here, but again Jones is under pressure. It looked like he was going to dump it off to Stevenson but he saw the Safety starting to break on that option so he threw it at the ground to avoid the sack and potential safety. He was called for intentional grounding at the 12"-line.
Pass #8
This is a inside slip screen to Jonnu Smith. Another screen pass that is probably some of the reason for Jones' outburst.
Same play showing Parker chasing his block. I'm going to assume that the LG wasn't supposed to block down and double-team the DT leaving only Parker on the DE.
Pass #9
The Bills bring a blitz with a OLB stunt and Jones is flushed from the pocket, rolls right and throws incomplete to J. Smith.
Pass #10
This is another designed screen to Stevenson. Another missed block causes an incomplete pass.
Pass #11
Make it two consecutive screen plays t the RB. This one goes for 3-yards.
It's obvious to see it was a designed screen pass when the WR's are down the field in blocking positions with their backs to the LOS.
This play gained 3-yards.
Pass #12
A 9-yard completion here, but no real vertical options for Jones.
Pass #13
This play had a possible deep route but Jones threw to Parker incomplete.
Pass #14
Four receivers here - all within 5-yards of the LOS.
Pass #15
Jones is pressured from the left side and throws it away.
Pass #16
Another play with 4 receivers within 5-yards of the LOS.
Pass #17
Here is one that Jones should have thrown down the field. It's 3rd and 14 and he has options deep enough for a shot at a 1st-down but he throes underneath for a 5-yard gain.
Pass #18
They get a 15-yard catch and run here, but there's nothing down the field further than 10-yards for Jones to throw to.
Pass #19
Jones throws incomplete, but he does have some deeper routes to target here.
Pass #20
This play loses 5-yards on another screen pass to Stevenson.
Pass #21
K Bourne was available over the middle, but Jones throws to J Myers for an 8-yard gain.
Pass #22
Jones may have had a deep in-route to throw to, but the LT was beat wide and the pressure forced him to check it down underneath for a gain of 3.
Pass #23
Here's one that Jones missed. He had Thornton for a long TD but overthrew him.
Pass #24
There were some deeper routes here, but they were well covered.
Pass #25
This play was blown-up by the LDE who beat his block and forced Jones to run around in the backfield in route to an incomplete pass.
Pass #26
Another screen to Stevenson.
Pass #27
It's later in the game and the Patriots are starting to call some plays with deeper routes.
Pass #28
Here Jones has a deep seam route but elects to throw it short for a 4-yard gain.
He should have taken a shot here since it was late in the game and they were down three scores.
Play #29
The Bills had tight man-coverage here, so Jones checks it down again.
Play #30
A 12-yard completion here.
Play #31
Jones takes a shot at the deep route here but it is broken-up.
He did have the safer check-down available, but knowing the game situation he rightfully took a shot at the endzone.
Play #32
Jones faces some pressure here. Makes a quick throw to J Smith for 8-yards.
Play #33
He has H. Henry here but he overthrows him.
Play #34
More pressure here, as the Bills blitz and the LT is beat by his man. Jones is sacked for a loss of 13.
Play #35
This is the last Patriots offensive play. Jones is flushed and throws incomplete.
I also noticed D Parker just standing out of bounds to the side of the endzone and wondered what that was all about. he ran his route and then just walked around out of bounds.
So, after watching all of the pass plays, I have to agree with Mac Jones if he was complaining about the tentative play calling.
There were a lot of screen passes and underneath routes. There wasn't much at all that had the Safety's moving backwards.
In order for their short pass plays to be more effective they will have to show the ability and willingness to attack deep. Until that happens I will expect some more in the way of a disgruntled Mac Jones.