By comparison, Tom Brady has three such pass-catchers in Tampa Bay, with a fourth, receiver Mike Evans, ranking 79th. Harry (3.0 yards, ranked 51st) is the lone Patriots receiver to rank in the top 75 in average separation from the closest defender, according to Next Gen Stats. Edelman, Damiere Byrd and N’Keal Harry – Newton’s top options, two of whom did not play against the Bills – have played at or below replacement-level this season.Īs was the case in 2019, New England receivers continue to struggle to get open. Not a single Patriots receiver or tight end ranks in the top 50 (minimum 28 receptions through Week 7) in Football Outsiders’ Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement or Defense-adjusted Value Over Average pass-catcher rankings. The team’s receiving corps is a far cry from the days of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. Cam Newton in New England signals progress for him and the NFL. ![]() Jesse Washington gives a hot take on football analyst Jeff Garcia’s comments about Cam Newton that he needed to tone down his wardrobe.(They have one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in the league.) Editor's Picks According to Football Outsiders, the Patriots’ line ranks 23rd in pass protection, allowing the 11th-highest adjusted sack rate through Week 7 Newton was sacked twice on Sunday. Newton plays behind one of the worst pass-blocking offensive lines in the league. But as a wise woman once said, Newton can’t throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time.Īnd the Patriots have that very problem, not to mention a defense that is a shell of itself from last season. He’s still dangerous as a runner, particularly in the red zone. Not a soul who watched Sunday’s game could come away with the conclusion that Newton doesn’t give the Patriots the best chance to win games. He accounted for 72% (23 passing, 24 rushing) of the team’s 65 yards on that drive. The fumble aside (a major caveat, but keep in mind it was his first lost fumble of the season), Newton was that final drive. Sunday’s final drive is a perfect illustration of why any questioning is absurd. “Been that way all year.”įor one of the most electric quarterbacks in recent NFL history, there should be no question whether Newton should be the starter for the Patriots. “Cam’s our quarterback,” Belichick responded. And with Newton, who finished the game 15-of-25 for 174 yards with 54 rushing yards and a rushing score, struggling the past three weeks, and being the reason they lost on Sunday, the questions are getting louder on whether the former MVP will make it to Week 17 as the team’s starter.Īfter Sunday’s loss, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was asked, as he was after last week’s blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers, if he would consider benching Newton. Sitting at 2-5, the Patriots now finally look like the AFC East teams they’ve beaten up for the better part of two decades. Related Story Is this the end of the New England Patriots’ dynasty? How we got here, what’s next, why it’s not an easy fix Read now The fourth straight for a team that hasn’t lost four straight since former President George W. With about 40 seconds left in regulation, facing second-and-10 from the Bills’ 19-yard line, Newton took the snap, sprinted toward the left side of the field, found an opening in the Buffalo defense and finished off what looked like a 5-yard gain to put the team in better position to win with a touchdown rather than a game-tying field goal attempt.īut then Bills defensive tackle Justin Zimmer threw a right hook at Newton’s right hand, connecting with the football, sending it fumbling toward the outstretched hands of Zimmer’s teammate, Dean Marlowe. ![]() Over the next 12 plays, Cam Newton drove the team downfield, using both his arm and legs to convert down after down. ![]() Down 24-21 to the Buffalo Bills with just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter on Sunday, the New England Patriots offense took the field to do what they’d done what’s felt like 100 times since 2001: win the game on a final drive.
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