Newton stars in return
Quarterback notches two touchdowns in Patriots debut
FOXBORO — On July 22, Cam Newton shared a video on his Instagram page that featured him throwing passes to Julian Edelman. Clearly, the new quarterback was on a mission to get on the same page as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver.
If you’re the 2020 New England Patriots, the NFL’s version of Chemistry 101 is critical. Remove Edelman and the Pats feature a barrel of question marks at the receiver spot. Throw Edelman back into the equation and Newton has someone who he can lean on as youngsters N’Keal Harry, Damiere Byrd, and Jakobi Meyers continue to learn the finer points of pass catching at the highest level.
Sunday against Miami, Edelman was given first dibs to haul in Newton’s first pass attempt in a New England uniform. The throw – coming on the Patriots’ first offensive series of the 2020 season – was right on the money. Edelman got both hands on the football but couldn’t secure it
Newton’s 75 yards were the most by a Patriots quarterback since Steve Grogan had 81 in 1977.
Sony Michel added a touchdown for New England, which had 217 of its 357 yards on the ground. Newton was 15 of 19 passing.
Newton said not even a postgame scrum in which a Dolphins player “got under my skin” by grabbing his chain could ruin the day.
“It’s football,” Newton said. “For me no matter who it is, I play with a competitive edge and I respect the other team to have a competitive edge as well.”
Most of the sights and sounds normally associated with Gillette Stadium’s usually raucous crowd were silenced by a Massachusetts COVID-19 ordinance prohibiting fans from attending for at least the first two games of the season.
Aside from the play on the field, the only familiar staples of a normal game day were the presence of Patriots mascot and cheerleaders, though they cheered from a concourse high above New England’s entrance tunnel.
It didn’t seem to bother the Patriots, who had plenty to cheer about.
Miami struggled for most of the game offensively and lost top receiver DeVante Parker, who left in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.
Ryan Fitzpatrick was 20 of 30 for 191 yards and three interceptions. Miami was held to 269 total yards.
“I felt up front we played well,” Fitzpatrick said. “I have to play better in my part.”
Newton scored from 11 yards early in the third quarter to put New England up 14-3. Late in the period, Jerome Baker kept the Dolphins in the game, stripping N’Keal Harry inside the 5-yard line, causing a fumble through the end zone for a touchback.
Miami then cut New England’s lead to 14-11 in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard TD run by Jordan Howard and 2-point conversion run by Fitzpatrick with 10:31 left.
The Patriots went quickly on their ensuing series and moved inside Miami’s 40, thanks to a 23-yard run by Julian Edelman and 15-yard penalty on Baker for a late hit. Newton muscled inside the 1 on a fourth-and-1 draw play. Michel went over the top for a TD on the next play.
The Patriots’ defense then shut the door when Fitzpatrick was intercepted in the end zone by J.C. Jackson. Fitzpatrick was intercepted twice, once by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.
“Just too many turnovers at the end of the day,” coach Brian Flores said.
Newton’s arrival was expected to bring more of a running mentality to New England’s offense and it showed early.
Newton carried on the second play of the game and capped an 11play, 80-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run on the Patriots’ third possession to put them up 7-0. The 2015 league MVP was untouched as he crossed into the end zone on the play, spiking the ball and flexing as he was surrounded by teammates.
“He’s earned everybody’s respect,” Belichick said. “That’s all you can ask for anyone and he’s done that.”