After the 22-18 win of the Cincinnati Bengals, cornerback Eli Apple has hit out at Mac Jones. Apple accuses the New England Patriots quarterback of “playing dirty.”

As linebacker Germain Pratt pulls away towards the end zone with the football in his hand after a would-be fumble, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones slows down. He throws himself to the ground, taking Bengals cornerback Eli Apple off his feet. The play was whistled after the fact and ruled an incompletion.

Making a tackle or block below the waist, other than a tackle on the ball carrier, is prohibited by NFL rules. In addition, it could be argued that Apple no longer had any influence on the play in the situation and thus may not be tackled at all.

However, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton was still in the vicinity trying to catch up to Pratt. Jones may have been trying to block Apple from blocking Thornton’s path.

After the game, Apple commented on the play, “That was dirty, he’s done that kind of thing before though. I know that. Well, they can go home now,” the 27-year-old said. The Patriots lost the game 18:22 and now stand at a 7:8 record.

Perhaps that’s why there was frustration involved?

Mac Jones: Already several allegations

Already last season, Brian Burns, edge rusher for the Carolina Panthers, complained about Jones. “That was bullshit. I didn’t have the ball and he twisted my leg. That’s not cool,” Burns said. Jones pleaded at the time that he thought Burns had the football in his hand.

Earlier in the season, Mac Jones hit Bears safety Jaquan Brisker foot-first between the legs after a run and subsequent baseball tackle. Brisker recounted in the aftermath that Jones apologised for it and that he did not accuse him of any intent.