FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Deadlocked at 3-3 for the entire second half of a game defined by offensive ineptitude, the Patriots sent out rookie Marcus Jones to field what would be final punt of the game.
Overtime felt inevitable.
Jones, a 5-foot-8 cornerback, had left college as one of the greatest returners in NCAA history. In the NFL, he was a quiet reserve best known for small stature. But no more.