Mac Jones wasn't the problem. The New England Patriots were thoroughly outplayed by the Buffalo Bills and a temperature defiant Josh Allen.

The Patriots were walloped by several scores to the tune of 47-17, the worst playoff defeat of head coach Bill Belichick's fabled career. But Mac Jones was far from the biggest problem.

He finished with 238 passing yards on a decent 24-for-38 clip with two touchdowns and two interceptions thrown. It's not as picturesque as Josh Allen's history-making stat line on the evening, but it was not a rookie QB meltdown under the bright postseason lights. Most of the other Patriots on the roster just didn't show up – and yet Jones still pinned some of the blame on him.

Via Ryan Hannable:

“I wish I could have played better,” said Mac Jones after the game.

The Patriots have handed the reins to a freshman signal-caller, but the poise he shows this early in his career speaks volumes for the kind of leader he will eventually become.

“It goes back to practice and just holding everybody to a higher standard,” the Patriots QB continued. “I know that I’m a rookie or whatever, but I could have done a better job of just holding everybody to that standard, myself included. I think we’ll make a lot of progress in the offseason with that and my leadership and just being myself.”

The New England Patriots were played off the field by the Bills – but Mac Jones gives them something to look forward to for next season.