The Cincinnati Bengals got the win over the New England Patriots on Saturday and one play, in particular, started going viral after the game went final.
The Cincinnati defense returned a possible fumble to the endzone in what was later ruled not a fumble on the play in question. Patriots quarterback Mac Jones ran in pursuit of the Bengals ball-carrier, then slowed and threw his back into cornerback Eli Apple.
An illegal and possibly dirty play and based on the widespread reaction, it’s something Jones has made a habit of in the past. The Pats quarterback was also flagged for a personal foul late in the game.
Here’s a sampling of the reaction to the play and fallout ahead of if/when the league decides to take action.
The play
I’d argue this is worthy of a suspension and a big fine from Mac Jones.
Incredibly dirty. pic.twitter.com/IhPh0m8r8K
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) December 25, 2022
The reaction
Shameful. https://t.co/1xVxpMVhAA
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 25, 2022
Bengals CB Eli Apple wasn’t happy with Patriots QB Mac Jones seemingly taking out his legs on the Cincinnati fumble return, which was called back.
“Of course I did (notice it). He tripped me,” Apple told me. “I thought it was a dirty play. He’s done that before, I’ve seen it.”
— Sean T. McGuire (@BySeanMcGuire) December 24, 2022
If this was a defense guy doing this to a QB, they would’ve showed it in slow motion 500 times, talked about it non stop; not a word from the analysts; nor did they show mac’s unsportsmanlike penalty….Why?
NFL is competitive but it’s a brotherhood among players. Mac is dirty!! https://t.co/MhN5QXz0K4— Annie Apple (@SurvivinAmerica) December 25, 2022
Mac Jones, it’s on sight.
You touch Eli Apple or any other Bengal like that again, Im making sure the cops are around to book your 3rd DUI. pic.twitter.com/OtGF4Hx4Vy
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) December 25, 2022
Mac Jones is such a dirty player. Even slowed down before he lowered and cut off Eli Apple. @BarstoolAlabama pic.twitter.com/QnN7GzlPrv
— Barstool Cincinnati (@UCBarstool) December 25, 2022
Mac Jones HATES Eli Apple pic.twitter.com/wL3bQ6Yzpa
— Tyler Thurston (@57TMT) December 25, 2022
That Mac Jones play on Eli Apple was really dirty. Could have ended his season. Completely unacceptable. Apple gets a bad rep but he’s a great guy. Supposed to be competing out there, not taking people’s legs out.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) December 25, 2022
This is a completely unnecessary from Mac Jones. There is nothing legal that Eli Apple can do that would affect this play, but doofus players make doofus plays. https://t.co/kEE4WOorJ1
— {Insert Name Here} (@WereWolfFPS) December 25, 2022
Mac Jones better get his assed fined heavy for that bush league dive at Eli Apple's knees.
— Catcher in the Ry™ (@R_Wilson39) December 25, 2022
Mac Jones is a dirty player – Compilation video from 4 different incidents from his two-year career. pic.twitter.com/LFDUugodvA
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 25, 2022
Oh wow… I hate Mac Jones now.. pic.twitter.com/iJjqg7ibVu
— Bengalorian (@thebengalorian) December 25, 2022
So Mac Jones laid down instead of tackling Chandler Jones and then does this? pic.twitter.com/QYH1Ns7Lua
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) December 25, 2022
It's sorta weird how nobody talks about how dirty a player Mac Jones is because he's a white-bread QB of a white-bread franchise.
He does things like this all the time. https://t.co/iq5vOBaBZN
— Max Toscano (@maxtoscano1) December 25, 2022
Mac Jones is sad… complains a ton and inspires nothing from his teammates https://t.co/jZbclGjKyI
— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) December 25, 2022
Mac Jones is actually insane bro omg pic.twitter.com/GlMJl4llPP
— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) December 25, 2022
Another dirty play by Mac Jones. This is like the 3rd or 4th time he’s taken a cheap shot at a defender. pic.twitter.com/mpGRLQsCeS
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) December 25, 2022
Lol what is he doing here? Blocking Eli Apple from … joining a potential end zone celebration? https://t.co/1uML84zYkS
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 25, 2022
Mac Jones is just a dirty player, that's exactly why everyone was glad when Chandler Jones stiff armed him to the underworld https://t.co/oatU8vjd3l
— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) December 25, 2022
Mac Jones is the dirtiest player in the NFL pic.twitter.com/SghdHHcv30
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) December 25, 2022
Not enough people talk about how Mac Jones makes the dirty play whenever he has an opportunity to pic.twitter.com/me1L7sb1o3
— Kyle Nap (@KyleNaps) December 25, 2022
Mac Jones has been one of the dirtiest players in the NFL, yet the league does nothing. This is a pattern of behavior!!pic.twitter.com/ugZwWWSECw
— NFL DraftID (@MockDraftMonday) December 25, 2022
