Mac Jones knew play action was way to go on Pharaoh Brown's 58-yard catch-and-run TD

BOSTON -- If you had New England tight end Pharaoh Brown on your touchdown Bingo card for Week 3, you're in line for a prize. The team's third tight end is now the owner of the biggest play of the season for the Patriots, hauling in a 58-yard touchdown in Sunday's 15-10 win over the New York Jets.

With the Pats up 3-0 in New Jersey, Mac Jones faked a handoff and quickly turned around to fire a pass to a wide open Brown downfield. The New York defense bit hard at that play fake, leaving Brown with a lot of open space to work with.

He took full advantage of it too, racing 58 yards down the field for the New England's only touchdown of the afternoon.

While Brown did most of the work, the 58-yard connection is the second-longest completion of Jones' career, after his 75-yard touchdown to Kendrick Bourne against the Dallas Cowboys during the quarterback's rookie season. 

"It felt great to give the offense a spark," Brown said after the game. "We definitely needed it. It gave us a spark and helped us win the game." 

Brown, who signed with the Patriots' practice squad on Aug. 30 and was elevated to the active roster ahead of Week 1, was brought in to be New England's third tight end and focus on blocking. He also saw some action as a fullback against the Jets, clearing the way for New England running backs.

But Brown also showed Sunday that he can break off a big play when given the opportunity.  

"It was a great freaking sell by the line on the play action," Brown said of his touchdown. "They bit and Mac threw a great ball. That's how it developed and it was a testament of how we were running the ball early on."

Before the snap, Jones saw something from the New York defense and made an adjustment at line to call for play action.

"We knew it was going to work," Jones said confidently after the game. "He made a great catch. We worked on that in practice and it worked in the game. "

Why was the quarterback so confident?

"I'm going to keep that to myself," the quarterback said with a chuckle.

Brown's touchdown on Sunday was the third by a New England tight end this season. The Patriots had just two touchdowns by tight ends in 2022.