The New England Patriots nearly scored the same number of points (45) as quarterback Cam Newton produced in passing yards (69). It wasn’t that close. But it was much closer than we typically see in the NFL.
“You’re not about to hear me complaining about winning a game,” Newton said in his weekly interview with WEEI sports radio on Tuesday.
Newton was pleased to get a 45-0 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13 — even when he went 12 of 19 for 69 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 48 yards and two touchdowns. After 20 years of Tom Brady, that stat line is different from what New England is accustomed to seeing. Newton recognizes that.
“It’s not the sexiest thing,” Newton said. “You know what I’m saying? I’ll be the first person to tell you that. People are always comparing quarterbacks to quarterbacks, which is the thing to do, but the style of play is completely different. Obviously, looking at Patrick Mahomes’ play, Tom Brady’s play — whoever is a gunslinger in this league that throws for a lot of yards — that’s a way to win. I understand that.”
But that’s not Newton. And that’s not the 2020 Patriots. He explained that he’s seeing opportunities to make plays in ways that don’t always involve throwing for 400 yards — or even 100 yards. But at least, the Patriots are making plays.
Take, for example, Newton’s 2-yard carry with 9:27 left in the first quarter. On the surface, a 2-yard carry isn’t great. In the circumstances, it was terrific. He converted a fourth-and-2 on the team’s opening drive, which finished with a touchdown. It set the tone for the rest of the game.
“When the team is relying on you to get a first down on fourth-and-2 on the first drive and you come through, then it is what it is. .. However the game needs to be won, that’s what I’m willing to do, whether that’s running the football or passing the football,” Newton said. “And either or, it’s my job to protect the football and be efficient.”
Because he missed the Patriots’ loss to the Chiefs due to contracting COVID-19, Newton is 6-5 as a starter, and while we’re comparing quarterbacks, Brady is 7-5. Newton’s sometimes ugly and sometimes effective playing style has New England back in the playoff hunt.
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