Like Mike? New England Patriots Teammates Challenged Mac Jones Before Game-Winning Drive

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones reacts to Davon Godchaux comparing him to the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant before his game-winning drive in Week 7.

For the fourth time this season, the New England Patriots needed the offense score late and win them a game. With just 12 seconds remaining, they finally found the end zone.

Quarterback Mac Jones orchestrated perhaps the most important drive of his season, and one that was so desperately needed. Sunday’s 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills has New England at 2-5, and—more importantly—alive in a tough AFC.

Jones has spoken about having confidence in himself amidst the offense’s struggles, but validation came from elsewhere, too. New England veteran defensive lineman Davon Godchaux pulled Jones aside before the drive. They were down three points with two timeouts and just under two minutes to play.

Mac Jones (10) celebrates a big play against the Buffalo Bills / Getty

“What would Kobe [Bryant] or Michael Jordan do to ice the game?” Godchaux asked his quarterback.

Jones responded by continuing to pick apart the Buffalo defense, taking easy completions, setting up yards after the catch, and ultimately finding tight end Mike Gesicki for the game-winning score.

The quarterback spoke about what it meant to have that confidence validated by his teammates.

“Yeah, DG. Ever since I got here he’s been one of my close buddies,” Jones said. “And he keeps it loose, he’s funny, he makes plays out there. I know he has confidence in me and that means a lot to me as a younger player, compared to him who’s been in the league for a little bit.”

Whether the drive was credited to Jones, his playmakers, or simply a pathetic showing from Buffalo, the result was the same: a big Patriots victory against a talented division rival.

There’s still work to do. New England shares the worst record in the conference, and it takes more than one collapsing opponent to string together a winning streak. But for the first time in a while, Jones gave fans a reason to be optimistic, even if only for a drive.

He finished the game completing 25 of30 passes for 272 yards and two scores.

“I want to continue to do that and make people believe,” Jones said.

With his job arguably on the line each Sunday, he’ll have to stack quality performances together. Jones and the Patriots will have the opportunity to do that against a forgiving Miami Dolphins defense in Week 8.

---