Mac Jones absorbed an entirely unnecessary hit during the road victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The New England Patriots were in the red zone during the first half and Chargers’ defensive lineman Jerry Tillery tackled Jones well after the whistle was blown. Jones spiked the ball and clearly was done with the play, but the referees did not throw a roughing the passer flag.
New England was losing 14-7 and was on fourth-and-goal, giving much more significance to a rushing the passer call. The referees didn’t throw a flag and the Patriots ended up failing to convert, giving the ball to the Chargers on the one-yard line.
While appearing on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show”, Bill Belichick showed his frustration with the missed call.
“The league certainly made a lot of protecting the players — player safety and all that,” Belichick said. “Particularly the quarterback. I think you’d have to talk to the league, and (referee) Ron Tobert, about that one.”
Here's a look at just how late Jerry Tillery was on the play. They blew the whistle INSTANTLY after the snap. And one official came running in to stop the play. pic.twitter.com/mcuwOc6Ig0
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) October 31, 2021
Fortunately for the Patriots, Jones wasn’t hampered by the hit in any way.
