Patriots’ Mac Jones says no bad intentions with ‘dirty’ block on Eli Apple: ‘Just trying to help the team win’

The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the New England Patriots 22-18 at Gillette Stadium on Christmas Eve in what Bengals cornerback Eli Apple called “dirty play” by Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. I was. The NFL apparently sided with him on Apple’s side, according to Pro Football Talk, and Jones reportedly fined him $11,139 for the low block. A hit occurs during a change of possession, at which point all blocks below the waist are considered illegal.

After recovering from a fumble, Bengals linebacker Jermaine Pratt was racing into the end zone with members of both teams chasing behind him. Helping clear a path to the zone, Jones dove into Apple’s legs, causing Apple to fall to the ground during the play. Here’s what happened in Q4.

When asked about the post-game play and whether he saw what Jones did, Apple said via NESN.com, “Of course I did. [notice it]. He made me stumble. ”

Apple also accused Jones of doing it before this. “I thought it was dirty play. He’s done it before, I’ve seen him.”

In a radio interview with WEEI on Monday, Jones explained his behavior during play, according to ESPN. Trying to stop a fast man from catching up with another fast man, fell in front of him.

“It’s a split-second decision and there’s a lot involved. We’re trying to compete, it’s a physical game. So I’m just trying to help the team win. I’m Eli. “They played a great game. So I have absolutely no intention of hurting anyone with that play, and when I’m playing quarterback, I don’t think that’s all there is to it.” [the defense is intending to do]; I also hit a lot. We are all playing hard. it’s just part of the game. ”

Jones said he didn’t know the play was incomplete and blown away.

“No, honestly, I was just playing. I saw Tyquan running and we were running to catch him,” Jones said. “At that point, you have to play the play to the end because you never know what’s going on. Whether they review or not. So I just had to play. Try to play right and slow everything down.”

The touchdown was canceled as officials ruled it was an incomplete pass rather than a fumble.

The Patriots’ offense has struggled all season, and the Bengals’ game was no exception, losing in another close game instead of a mediocre run game. New England is in contention for the playoffs with his 7-8 record. The regular season still has his two tough division games against Miami his Dolphins and Buffalo his Bills.