Newton, special teams lead Patriots in blowout

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Cam Newton and special teams are big reasons why the New England Patriots have won four of their last five games.

Newton ran for two touchdowns and the Patriots scored two TDs on special teams in Sunday’s 45-0 rout of the Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots (6-6) have won two straight to get back into playoff contention in the AFC going into the final quarter of the season.

“We’ve been close on plays at other points that ended up being foul balls but today we had some explosive plays that impacted the game,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said.

It was the fifth time in franchise history that the Patriots have won a game by 45 or more points. And it was the worst loss in Chargers history, eclipsing a 49-6 defeat to Kansas City in 1964.

LA (3-9) was shut out for the first time since 2014 and will finish with a losing record for the second consecutive season.

Whether coach Anthony Lynn will be around to see the end of the season is another matter. The Chargers are 8-20 since making the playoffs two years ago.

“That was one of the worst football games I’ve ever been a part of in my 30 years in the National Football League as a player and a coach. That was unacceptable and embarrassing,” Lynn said.

Lynn said it was out of his control when asked about his job security but added he talks to owner Dean Spanos all the time.

Newton has four games this season with multiple rushing touchdowns, breaking the league record for a quarterback. He had three such games in 2011, an achievement he shared with five others, and has 10 in his career, three more than any other QB.

The Patriots set the tone on the opening drive, going 75 yards —

Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images Quarterback Cam Newton of the Patriots jogs toward the locker room after Sunday’s game.