The Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots may have been playing an NFL game, but the New England offense brought a college element to the table on Sunday.
Facing fourth down, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels teamed up with quarterback Mac Jones and running back Damien Harris to execute an option play. Facing a fourth-and-one situation, Harris was able to scamper outside for the first down.
Twitter had strong reactions to the play, which was made possible via contributions from Jakob Johnson, Gunner Olszewski and N’Keal Harry during the drive. It kept the Patriots drive alive, one that finished with a touchdown. Across Twitter, people could not believe what they saw.
That TD drive that contained the following:
• Gunner O touch
• Jakob Johnson touch
• N’Keal Harry touch
• Two 4th-down conversions
• Mac Jones speed optionWHAT?
— Brain Phillips (@BPhillips_SB) December 26, 2021
Patriots did a college option play. Buffalo has to take that as disrespect lol.
— Darren (@bostonmade247) December 26, 2021
Patriots coaching staff is so different. Running an option with mac Jones on fourth and one… that’s beautiful I have to appreciate it even as a bills fan
— isaiah hartenstein fan club (@j_goldman7) December 26, 2021
LOL, Mac Jones and Damien Harris just ran the option.
— Alabama Pro Updates (@BamaProUpdates) December 26, 2021
Speed option is the best fourth and short run. The Patriots just ran it with Mac Jones for an easy first down. Hard to defend in man coverage (most used on 4th down)
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) December 26, 2021
With defense ruling the day to this point, this could prove to be a pivotal play.