Newton’s interception came late in the first quarter, and it was not his finest moment. Here, he has wide receiver Devin Funchess wide-open with YAC space on a simple screen, but he shoots instead for the big play downfield to receiver Damiere Byrd. Problem: Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler and defensive back Eric Rowe have Byrd bracketed, and Butler comes away with the easy pick. Newton does have a mild rogue gene that leads him to throws with a low success rate, and this is an illustrative example.
But the touchdown passes showed a quarterback in full command of a highly-functioning offense, and some brilliant designs from then-offensive coordinator Mike Shula. On this 28-yard touchdown pass to running back Fozzy Whitaker, Newton uses the defensive shift, adjusting to running back Christian McCaffrey motioning from left to right, to give the easy opening to his back, and the screen is set up perfectly. This is not an unfamiliar design in the Patriots’ playbook — just ask James White.
This 39-yard completion to receiver Kelvin Benjamin combines excellent design and a good throw from Newton. Funchess takes the top off the coverage to the right side with a deep over route, which gives Benjamin the opportunity to pick up yards after catch as the Patriots play run-and-chase off of bunch formation confusion.
On this quick pass to Funchess, where the receiver sells the outside step to run an inside route, you can see Newton busting two of the stranger myths about his game — that he doesn’t have a command of short and intermediate passing structure, and that he can’t throw with anticipation.
Since Newton scored the 50th rushing touchdown of his career in this game, we might as well show that, too. Put a pin in this run-fake concept for the next section of this article.
