Week 11 Thursday Football Pick

Mac Jones, by most accounts, is having a terrific start to his NFL career.  He has thrown for 2,333 yards, 13 touchdowns (against 7 interceptions), and has completed 69% of his passes.  He is considered, along with Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, a favorite for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Most importantly, the Patriots are on a four game winning streak and enter their Week 11 game at 6-4 with a strong chance of qualifying for the AFC playoffs.

Quarterback is a position held in high esteem in this part of the country, an effect of Tom Brady’s once in a lifetime career.  Like it or not, Jones will always be compared to Brady.  It comes with the territory. 

Would you be happy with his career if I told you that in his 14th year in the NFL (yes, let’s look ahead to 2034) that Jones would have over 58,000 passing yards, thrown for over 360 touchdowns, won an MVP, and been to a Super Bowl?

Maybe not, if we go by Brady’s standards, but by all conventional methods to judge a quarterback that would be an impressive career.

Well, that’s exactly where Matt Ryan is in his 14th season.  Ryan has been a player many have compared Jones too in the early going and many Patriots fans have viewed that as a criticism through their Brady-tinted glasses.

Jones takes on Ryan tonight, in a game that may determine the present Patriots immediate future but could also be a glimpse into their long term future.

Patriots (-6) over FALCONS (27-16 Patriots)

Thursday Record: 6-3

Last Week: 5-9

Season: 69-63-3