Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster takes accountability for game-ending interception
FOXBOROUGH, Mass – The New England Patriots had a chance to either tie the game or even clinch the victory, but instead, they handed the ball right back to the Washington Commanders. As the Patriots tried to get into field goal range in the final minute of Sunday's game, Smith-Schuster allowed a perfectly placed ball […]
FOXBOROUGH, Mass – The New England Patriots had a chance to either tie the game or even clinch the victory, but instead, they handed the ball right back to the Washington Commanders.
As the Patriots tried to get into field goal range in the final minute of Sunday's game, Smith-Schuster allowed a perfectly placed ball from Mac Jones to bounce off his hands and fell right into Washington cornerback Jartavius Martin, who wasted no time hauling in the loose ball.
Aware of his mistake, Smith-Schuster spoke to reporters after the game and took accountability for the play.
“It’s all on me. (Mac Jones) put the ball in a good position," Smith-Schuster said. "I just have to make the catch, secure it, and now we’re in field goal range. Obviously, I didn’t do that, and we fell short.”
However, Mac Jones came to the defense of the receiver after the game.
"I think JuJu made a great play the play before or we wouldn’t even be in that situation. I just went through my reads and fired it in there. It was just a bang-bang play," Jones said. "Obviously when you lose the game, it’s frustrating. It’s not on one person or one player at all. Like I said, JuJu made some great plays. We’re all in it together. I can throw a better ball, protect him a little bit more, all that stuff. I’ll watch the film, like I said, see what I can do to fix my part."
Smith-Schuster finished the game with a season-high six catches and 51 yards, which pretty much sums up the disappointing year for the receiver.
And to add insult to injury, the Patriots signed Smith-Schuster to a three-year deal worth $33 million rather than giving the money to Jakobi Meyers who instead went on to join the Las Vegas Raiders.
So far this season, Smith-Schuster has 21 receptions for 140 yards and one touchdown in seven games. Meyers on the other hand has 38 receptions for 404 yards and five touchdowns in seven games.
That's quite a difference.
A lot of the players take accountability following these losses, especially when they make mistakes, but the next step if fixing those errors because they continue to happen.
Patriots: Mac Jones sends doubters a message without saying a word
Giving credit where credit is due.
