Winners and losers from Patriots’ devastating overtime loss to Cowboys

The Patriots looked really good, but they just couldn’t close against the Cowboys.

Devastating doesn’t fully describe the New England Patriots’ 35-29 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6.

The Patriots played incredible defense in the first half, holding the Cowboys to 10 points, but they didn’t do enough at the end when it mattered. CeeDee Lamb walked into the end zone in overtime to push the Cowboys to a 5-1 record and drop the Patriots to 2-4.

Mac Jones wasn’t as explosive as he needs to be to win games, but he had an efficient night that put the Patriots in winning position. Jones finished the day throwing 15 of 21 for 229 yards two touchdowns and an interception — a very costly one at that.

There were a lot of great takeaways from the game, but none of it was enough to edge past the Cowboys. Here are the winners and losers from the devastating loss.

Report: Patriots re-sign special teams ace Justin Bethel to three-year deal

New England’s coverage team is set to be great again.

The New England Patriots have started off their Friday morning with a couple of important signings for the future of their team.

After re-signing quarterback Cam Newton to another incentive-laden one-year deal, New England re-signed a key special teams contributor in Justin Bethel to a three-year deal worth $6 million, as reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

The contract, which includes $2.75 million in guaranteed money and some Pro Bowl incentives, is set to keep the 30-year-old tied to the Patriots until at least 2023. This significant move gives Bill Belichick’s team a solid plan in case perennial Pro Bowl special teamer Matthew Slater doesn’t return to the field this coming season.

https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/1370375339864625164

Since arriving in New England in October of 2019, Bethel has been electric to watch on the coverage teams. His ability earned him three Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro selections during his time with Arizona.

The duo of Slater and Bethel won every First-Team All-Pro nomination from 2011-2016, and it’s clear the two have been two of the best in the league over the last decade. Combining their forces over the last two seasons has resulted in multiple highlight plays to give the Patriots’ defense optimal field position.

If Slater does decide to return for his 14th season, fans will be thrilled to get another year of the best coverage units in the NFL. Throw them in with All-Pro punter Jake Bailey and All-Pro returner Gunner Olszewski and the team will have at least one phase that’s a must-watch in 2021.

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Justin Bethel thinks Cam Newton will be game-changer for Patriots

Justin Bethel believes Cam Newton can benefit in the New England offense greatly.

As recently-signed New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton gets settled into his environment, several of his new teammates have been giving insight into what he can bring to the organization.

Pro Bowl special teamer Justin Bethel is among those who are excited to see Newton don a Patriots uniform. Acquired at the trade deadline last October, Bethel himself settled into his New England environment and played a key role on special teams.

Bethel believes Newton will be able to bring big plays to the organization. The quarterback initially made a name for himself due to his dual-threat ability. Now, he’ll look to help mold a new-look Patriots offense.

“I think, as a player, he’s going to bring — like, he’s just one of those guys that can make big plays any time,” Bethel said on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” “If you need something, he’ll find a way to make it happen. I definitely think Bill will find a way, or whatever they do, they’re going to find a way to use him whatever way they need to and I’m excited about it.”

It will be fascinating to see how New England constructs their offense around Newton and it’ll certainly be a challenge for Josh McDaniels.

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Patriots’ Justin Bethel delivers impassioned speech on George Floyd protests

“A scientist doesn’t do the same experiment and expect different results.”

New England Patriots defensive back and special teams ace Justin Bethel shared his thoughts on the George Floyd protests in an impassioned address to his social media followers this weekend.

Floyd died in police custody after former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. The incident has mobilized protests around the nation.

“All the celebrities, the social media influencers, people that have fame and have a platform and they’re not saying anything…why? What is your reason? I see people posting selfies and continuing with their lives like everything is okay,” Bethel said. “Yeah, everything is okay for you, what about the people that are losing their lives?”

“A scientist doesn’t do the same experiment and expect different results. The hashtags, the kneeling, the walks, the shirts, my people have been doing that and have not been getting heard. Now they hear us.”

Justin Bethel:

“A scientist doesn’t do the same experiment and expect different results. The hashtags, the kneeling, the walks, the shirts, my people have been doing that and have not been getting heard.

“Now they hear us.” #Patriots pic.twitter.com/psm4okRSVy

— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) May 31, 2020

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Ravens re-sign special-teamer and DB Jordan Richards to 1-year deal

The Baltimore Ravens re-signed special teamer and defensive back Jordan Richards to a one-year deal after adding him just prior to Week 9.

The Baltimore Ravens continue to take care of their own guys this offseason in the lead-up to free agency. After giving safety Chuck Clark a three-year extension, the Ravens kept with the theme by re-signing defensive back Jordan Richards to a one-year deal, according to the team’s Twitter account.

Though Richards is technically a defensive back, his real role for the Ravens is on special teams. Richards registered 40% of the total special-teams snaps for the entire season in spite of only being active in nine games for Baltimore.

Baltimore had originally signed Richards last season after he was cut from the New England Patriots, with his first game for Baltimore coming against New England in Week 9. The move effectively ended up being a trade between the Ravens and Patriots, with Baltimore cutting special-teams ace Justin Bethel to hopefully help their compensatory pick formula this offseason and New England cutting Richards to make room for Bethel.

The Ravens struggled at times last season on special teams, having trouble finding consistency in just about every area. But Richards was one of the highlights for the unit, recovering a fumble and returning it for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Keeping a major contributor they know well will hopefully help Baltimore improve on special teams next season.

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4 former Cardinals on rosters for Titans-Patriots

Check out the former Cardinals who are on the rosters of the Pats and Titans.

The Arizona Cardinals aren’t in the postseason but some former players have found their way onto the rosters of playoff teams. There are seven players on the combined rosters of the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans, who play in the first game of the day on Saturday of wild-card weekend. The second game, between the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots, has

Titans CB Tramaine Brock

Brock began the season with the Cardinals and was a starter for much of the year. He was released after the Cardinals lost to the Rams at the start of December and was claimed off waivers by the Titans. He started four games for the Titans in December, had 13 tackles and broke up two passes.

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