New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots grinded their way to their 10th win of the 2025 campaign, as they picked up a 26-20 victory in Week 12. Perhaps the most important play of the game came in the form of a pick-six from cornerback Marcus Jones, which led to a big reaction from fellow cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
A big issue for the Pats in this contest was their slow start. New England quickly fell behind 10-0, with both sides of the ball looking a bit lethargic. The team eventually got on the board in the second quarter, before Jones rattled off a 33-yard pick-six that gave the Patriots a 14-10 lead that they would not relinquish.
Jones has proven to have a penchant for making big plays when his team needs him the most, and that was not lost on Gonzalez after his latest highlight. After returning to the sidelines following this huge play, Gonzalez pantomimed placing a crown on Jones’ head.
In his first season under new head coach Mike Vrabel, Jones has been simply sensational. Through 12 games, Jones had 50 tackles, three interceptions (one of which he returned for a score), 11 pass deflections and one sack. He’s also been one of the best punt returners in the league, as he’s racked up 234 yards and another score on 16 returns.
While Gonzalez earns a lot of praise for his ability to lock up the opposing team’s top receiver, Jones has turned himself into a crucial piece in the secondary this year. By locking down the slot corner position, Jones allows Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III to play more freely on the outside.
A lot has gone right for New England this season, but Jones’ return to form, both as a cornerback and a punt returner, has been huge for the team. Jones will look to continue building off his breakout campaign in Week 13 when the Patriots square off against the New York Giants.
