NFL fans thought the SkyCam wire altered Mac Jones’ pass on Jaquan Brisker’s INT. But did it really?

The Patriots might, potentially, have a gripe. Maybe.

Nothing went right for the Patriots on Monday night.

The previously struggling Bears entered Foxborough and humbled New England to the tune of a 33-14 shellacking from start to finish. The Patriots’ loss inspired questions about Bill Belichick’s continued coaching aptitude and even might have ignited a quarterback controversy between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

But it was one pass play with Jones and Bears’ safety Jaquan Brisker — who Jones had inadvertently kicked in the groin only a few plays earlier — that NFL fans still seem fixated on. You see, after the kick to the groin, Brisker would pick Jones off with one hand. A dynamite, exciting play for the Bears, no doubt. Or was it?

According to some Twitter sleuths, Jones’ pass might have been altered by the hovering SkyCam wire from the broadcast. (Note: Emphasis on might.) Check it out for yourself:

Is it just me or did Mac Jones' INT hit the line that the sky cam is attached to? Wasn't underthrown by much. This HAD to affect it. Sorry baht it. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/zMC0tncJKC

— Big Jim (@BillsFilm) October 25, 2022

Hmm. I don’t know about that at first blush. The specific camera angle there, to me, creates a bit of an illusion.

The play slowed down doesn’t make things any more clear.

A Bills fan here found that Mac Jones' interception might have hit the SkyCam wire. I slowed the video down as much as possible. Also not sure how much it actually affected things if it did hit the wire, but it's interesting. https://t.co/4MMgfftt6m pic.twitter.com/OLMpgnsmLg

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 25, 2022

It seems fairly obvious the ball’s trajectory never shifts. But, with this kind of evidence, nothing is conclusive.

At any rate, Brisker still skied to pick off the ball with one hand. I’m not sure a slightly better pass that was (or wasn’t) altered by the wire ever gets through the Chicago safety in that coverage. Folks: (whispers) that pass was a terrible decision by Jones, and it was getting picked either way.