USA TODAY International Edition
Newton’s mistakes now huge problem for Patriots
Turns out that Superman was his own kryptonite. Again.
Cam Newton had a chance to save the day and lift the Patriots out of the misery of the franchise’s longest losing streak in 18 years. That’s what the money players will do.
Yet with the game on the line Sunday and his team driving deep in Buffalo territory in the final minute for a would- be winning touchdown, Newton coughed up the football.
Bills defensive tackle Justin Zimmer punched the ball out of Newton’s hand as the quarterback tried sweeping around the left corner on a second down from the 19- yard line, and that was that. The Bills recovered with 31 seconds on the clock. Ball game.
“I’m still jeopardizing this team’s chance to win because of my lackluster performance,” Newton said after the 2421 setback marked the fourth loss in a row. “Coach trusts me with the ball in my hand. I’ve got to do a better job of protecting it.”
It’s become part of the routine for Newton, trying to revive his career by joining forces with Bill Belichick. The man who once walked out of a Super Bowl news conference after a blowout loss humbly hung in there and faced the music after another close loss. He pointed the finger at himself, self- critical to the max. He knew he blew it and would hardly sugar- coat it.
The Patriots ( 2- 5) haven’t started a season like this since 2000.
Even worse, the loss was the third one that was decided when the Newtonled offense was positioned to win at crunchtime but came up short. If two times is a coincidence, three times is a disturbing trend. Especially for a franchise that broke a lot of hearts in pulling out last- minute wins with Tom Brady.
No, Newton is no Brady, who used last- minute comeback jobs to pull out four of the franchise’s six Super Bowl victories.
Deal with it, New England. The Patriots are no longer the team that can keep it close, then bank on last- minute poise and precision to pull out a clutch win. Now, they are the team that leaves their followers holding their breath.
And know this: Belichick is not about to bench Cam and insert second- year pro Jarrett Stidham. Coach Hoodie has this ride- or- die thing going with Newton. “Cam’s our quarterback,” Belichick said when asked if he’ll switch to Stidham. “That’s the way it’s been all year.”
As bad as it looks now for the Patriots, the fact remains that there is too much of the season left to throw in the towel.
If Newton previously gave the Patriots their best chance to compete in the first year of the post- Brady era, then he’s still the best option – especially if they can regain the form that Newton possessed for much of the first three weeks of the season.