Julio Jones drops a wide open 40+ yard touchdown catch 😳 pic.twitter.com/pfmLfN12bw
— Renaissauced (@renaissauced) November 5, 2017
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The unbelievably sure handed Julio Jones dropped a wide-open touchdown Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
The Atlanta Falcons superstar still managed to lead all pass catchers with six catches for 118 yards in the 20-17 loss but his most memorable play came in the fourth quarter.
Jones lined up for a 4th and 7 play with the Falcons trailing 20-10. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan stepped back in the pocket and saw a streaking Jones, after the wide out burnt several defensive backs. Ryan heaved a 39-yard pass and Jones was five yards behind the defense.
The ball fell perfectly over Jones' right shoulder but bounced right off of his hands. Jones bobbled the ball several times before drilling the ground. The oddity was similar to when former NBA stars Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Mugsy Bogues, Shawn Bradley and Charles Barkley had their talent taken by aliens, called the Monstars, in the 1996 film Space Jam.
"I didn't take advantage of the opportunity," Jones told reporters after the game, according to the Falcons' website. "I just missed it...there's no excuses."
"He's made more plays in this league than probably anybody." - Matt Ryan on Julio Jones pic.twitter.com/1q3Nx5Gg7v
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 5, 2017
Jones' 118 yards were a season-high. The four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro led the league with 100.6 receiving yards per game in 2016. He led the NFL with 1,871 yards and 136 catches in 2015. Jones only has two games with at least 100 receiving yards this season and has score once.
