Marte Mapu had an impact defensive play that quickly got neutralized by his own mistake in Sunday’s 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills for the New England Patriots.
Mapu broke for the ball when Josh Allen targeted Keon Coleman in coverage with Patriots star Christian Gonzalez. Mapu intercepted the ball in the end zone, where he could’ve taken a knee for a touchback. Instead, the second-year defender doomed his offense when he returned the interception and stumbled into a tackle at New England’s 1-yard line. The Patriots had to punt after picking up just one first down backed deep into their territory.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged the mistake a day after the loss and noted Mapu immediately recognized the gravity of his ensuing actions after the turnover.
“Yeah, he knew the mistake that he made,” Mayo told reporters Monday morning, per team-provided video. “He was apologetic when he came off the field. Look, some things are better left unsaid. I mean, he understood. He was more disappointed than anyone else as far as making a play like that.”
Mapu and the Patriots must flip the page in a short week before Saturday’s home matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.
