FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 13: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots reacts during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Last night’s Monday Night Football game wasn’t the best advertisement for the NFL. Watching the New England Patriots, led by Cam Newton, struggle past the winless New York Jets was also a bizarre sight to behold.
The Pats took home a 30-27 victory to move to 3-5 on the season, and keep the Jets in the NFL basement (to the delight of many New York fans who already have theirs sights on the top of the NFL Draft.) It was an ugly game, but Newton was a bright spot for the Patriots. He led the squad to three straight fourth quarter scoring drives to overcome a 10-point deficit to win the game.
Newton finished 27-for-35 for 274 yards, good for 7.8 yards per attempt. Perhaps more importantly, he picked up two touchdowns on the ground, on 10 attempts for 16 yards. The second run tied the game at 27 with just under two minutes left in the game.
The New England Patriots defense forced veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who had a great game overall, into a three-and-out. Newton once again took over, leading the Patriots on an eight-play, 45-yard drive in just 47 seconds, setting up a game-winning 51-yard field goal by Nick Folk.
Nick Folk with a 51-yd FG to give New England a 30-27 win as time expires!
Cam Newton led the comeback 💪🏽#GoPats pic.twitter.com/bdRBYyDW9R
— Sideline Sports (@sportsideline) November 10, 2020
After the game, Cam Newton got a big shoutout from NBA superstar LeBron James. King James was impressed by Newton’s night, and the last-minute drive especially.
Helluva game @CameronNewton!!!! Big time all night long! 🙏🏾. Game winning drive to add on to it
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 10, 2020
Making the playoffs will still be an uphill battle for Newton, Bill Belichick, and company. At 3-5, they remain three games behind the Buffalo Bills in the loss column, and two behind the upstart Miami Dolphins, who looked very impressive with rookie Tua Tagovailoa under center for his second start on Sunday.
The difficulty for Cam Newton and company ramps up drastically from here. The Pats host Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football.
