Jones throws 3 passes in Patriots' windy MNF victory over Bills
The New England Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills 14-10 in a game during which Mac Jones attempted just three passes - completing two - because of extreme winds.
The Patriots recorded a whopping 46 rush attempts in the Monday Night Football victory, which put them 1.5 games up on the Bills for the top spot in the AFC East.
"We played the way we felt like we needed to play to win," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said after the game.
Jones threw for 19 yards. The Patriots threw the fewest passes in a game since 1974, when the Bills beat the New York Jets by throwing twice. They tied their franchise record with two completions and set a new franchise record for the fewest passes in a game.
Jones threw his lone first-half pass to Jonnu Smith, who picked up 12 yards late in the first quarter. The Patriots became the only team since 1978 to attempt one pass in the first half. Jones' other completion came in the fourth quarter on a screen to Brandon Bolden and went for seven yards.
"I haven't seen that much wind, probably ever, but it's a learning experience," Jones said.
With Belichick reluctant to let his rookie quarterback test the elements, Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson carried most of the load offensively. Harris scored on a 64-yard run in the first quarter but later left with a hamstring injury.
"What a memorable game that will be for me in my career," said Patriots center David Andrews, according to NFL Network's Mike Giardi.
On the other side, the Bills let Josh Allen throw 30 times. He completed half of his attempts for 145 yards and a touchdown. He nearly threw a go-ahead touchdown at the two-minute warning, but Dawson Knox couldn't corral the ball in the end zone after Allen scrambled in the pocket to buy time.
The Patriots will take a 9-4 record into their bye week. They'll face the Bills again in Week 16 with the rematch in New England.
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