FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 12: DeVante Parker #11 of the Miami Dolphins and J.C. Jackson #27 of the New England Patriots react during the first half at Gillette Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson was not impressed with Miami Dolphins cornerback Tua Tagovailoa following their Week 1 game.
Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season featured a battle between former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterbacks. Tua Tagovailoa led the Miami Dolphins to face off against his former backup in Mac Jones and the New England Patriots. It was a very close game, but the Dolphins held on to defeat the Patriots by the score of 17-16.
Following the game, Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson was asked about the performance of Tagovailoa, and he expressed his less than glowing review of the second-year signal caller. The quotes from Jackson come courtesy of Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald.
J.C. Jackson gives negative review of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
The interception in question occurred in the fourth quarter. On third-and-seven, Tagovailoa rolled out of the pocket after feeling pressure from defensive back Adrian Phillips and threw the ball up in the air as he was about to get hit by linebacker Matt Judon. The end result saw defensive back Jonathan Jones snag the interception.
After the game, Tagovailoa was asked about that pass leading to an interception, where he said he was trying to throw the ball away.
Luckily for Tagovailoa, that decision did not prove to be costly. While the Patriots did work their way downfield to Miami’s nine yard line, Dolphins star cornerback Xavien Howard forced running back Damien Harris to fumble the ball. Miami then ran out the clock to secure the 17-16 win.
Tagovailoa completed 16-of-27 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while rushing for one yard and a touchdown on four carries. As for Jones, the Patriots rookie quarterback recorded 29 completions for 281 yards and one touchdown on 39 pass attempts.
For those of you wondering when these two teams meet again, that will not happen until the regular-season finale in Week 18.