Without Cam Newton on the field, the New England Patriots are predictably worse off.
The idea that Jarrett Stidham or Brian Hoyer could successfully run this team was thrown around in the offseason. Stidham, who’s in his second NFL season, was the assumed starter before Newton was signed. Both backup quarterbacks had their chance against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, but Stidham looked better in hindsight.
Newton missed the game after contracting COVID-19 and the Patriots lost the primetime matchup 26-10. The result wasn’t as bad as the scoreboard reflected, but the defense deserved most of the credit for it. The Patriots entered the fourth quarter with the score being 13-10, and then it got ugly, quick.
Cam Newton is only chance for playoff success
Hoyer was a decent replacement to begin with, until he had his first miscue at the end of the half. On third down in the red zone, Hoyer held the ball too long with no timeouts and took a sack. New England received the ball at half, but Hoyer’s failed attempt at points left the score at 6-3 with the Chiefs ahead.
The Patriots drove up the field on their second drive of the third quarter and wasted the clock down, while making it to the red zone again. Hoyer fumbled the ball on 3rd-and-8, resulting in another scoreless drive.
Stidham replaced Hoyer in the fourth quarter and threw a touchdown to N’Keal Harry in his first chance down the field. Though one interception was Julian Edelman’s fault — Stidham still finished the game with two giveaways. The Patriots’ quarterbacks combined for four turnovers, and it was too much for the defense to come back from.
Nothing needs to be said about the difference Newton makes.
Damien Harris could take over as No. 1 back
Sony Michel was placed on the injured reserve list — leaving the Patriots with James White, Damien Harris, Rex Burkhead and J.J. Taylor.
New England totaled 185 rushing yards and 100 of them came from the second-year back, Harris. He totaled the 100 yards on 17 carries, with a long of 41 yards. Harris seemed to be the top back in training camp and it came to fruition in his first game off the injured reserve list.
Burkhead followed him up with 45 yards, but the primary back going forward will likely be Harris. The addition of Newton in the offense will open up the run game even more, adding to the amount of opportunities the Patriots will get on the ground.
The Patriots are doing things correctly this season in the rushing department.
Defense showed grit and big-time toughness
As aforementioned, the Patriots held the Chiefs to six points at halftime and they only had 13 points heading into the fourth quarter. The Patriots created one turnover, and should’ve had a second one in the game.
This should be a fumble or even a #Patriots INT. There should've been no whistle.
Instead, it's ruled…. a sack. pic.twitter.com/U3HM0SYa0x
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) October 6, 2020
Chase Winovich, who’s becoming a star himself, is the one who wreaked havoc and caused the fumble. The secondary was locking Patrick Mahomes down most of the game, leaving him with 236 yards and two touchdowns. Kansas City was held to 94 yards on the ground and a majority of the offense came in the fourth quarter.
This defense is serious and will be much more effective when they have an offense that can put points on the board.
Road to Super Bowl goes through Kansas City
Kansas City defeated the Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens in the first four games of the season.
The Chiefs’ schedule only gets easier from here and it’s obvious the reigning Super Bowl MVP isn’t slowing down anytime soon. So, the road to the Super Bowl will very likely go through Arrowhead Stadium.
Fortunately for the Patriots — Bill Belichick showed how scary this team can be without a decent quarterback at the helm. Andy Reid received the message and knows the Patriots are far from a losing team. New England, with Newton, has a very solid chance of taking out the reigning champs in the playoffs.
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