Chandler Jones is playing for the Patriots logo on his chest … and to raise his ‘Madden’ rating

Patriots’ Chandler Jones sacks Washington’s Kirk Cousins. The Boston Globe

By Erik Frenz

November 9, 2015

1 minute to read

FOXBOROUGH — There are a lot of talented pass-rushers in the NFL, but Chandler Jones is at the top of the league’s sack list at the moment.

The New England Patriots’ standout defensive end notched a sack of Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins on Sunday, bringing his season total to 9.5. Not only is he on pace to shatter his personal record of 11.5 sacks from 2013, but he’s also leading the entire league through Week 9.

“It feels good,’’ Jones said in the locker room after the game. “As long as it’s helping our team win, hopefully I can go out and do that every week, and as a team, you know, go out there and put good stuff on film and even maybe intimidate our next opponent.’’

Jones had six sacks through eight games as a rookie, 6.5 sacks through eight games in 2013, and 4.5 sacks through seven games in 2014 before suffering a hip injury that kept him out of action for nearly two full months.

After offseason departures altered the secondary, the Patriots knew they would need to rely on the front seven this season. When Vince Wilfork departed for Texas, Jones and Rob Ninkovich became the elder statesmen of that defensive line.

While Jones won’t say he deserves more attention for his play, he wouldn’t mind if the makers of EA Sports’ Madden NFL video game are paying attention.

“I leave all of that to the critics honestly,’’ Jones said. “Whether people talk about me or not, at the end of the day I’m playing for my team. I’m playing for the Patriots logo on my chest, my teammates, the coaches, and I’m also trying to get my Madden rating up.’’

Through Week 9, Jones actually has more sacks than the entire New York Giants defense. If that doesn’t deserve a boost in the Madden ratings then maybe nothing does.