Cam Newton defends Josh McDaniels when questioned about play-calling

Patriots QB Cam Newton defended Josh McDaniels on Monday.

The New England Patriots’ offensive ineptitude has shed a damning light on Josh McDaniels‘ inability (or refusal) to make in-game adjustments, and that criticism was only exacerbated following their blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.

Despite losing the time of possession battle by just three minutes, the Patriots could only muster three points of offense and maddeningly insisted on taking the ball out of Cam Newton’s hands, especially in the red zone.

In light of this controversy, it would be understandable if Newton expressed some frustration while fielding questions from the media. However, he continued to showcase his professionalism (and leadership) by having nothing but positive things to say about McDaniels during his weekly segment with WEEI Radio.

Put your reading glasses on Patriots fans, because this was a significantly longer response from Newton than what we’ve grown accustomed to in 2020.

Newton hasn’t put a foot wrong in front of the microphone this season, so the fan base shouldn’t have expected him to throw McDaniels under the bus here. However, that doesn’t mean the Patriots’ longtime offensive coordinator should be free of criticism.

After all, prior to getting benched in the fourth quarter, Newton dropped back to pass just 16 times. It doesn’t take a football savant to know that sticking with the run after falling down early to a team who was already chewing clock by carving you up on the ground is a recipe for failure, but McDaniels stuck to his guns.

The most telling example of this came on a drive that stalled deep in the red zone on a turnover on downs when the Patriots called seven consecutive run plays, including four straight on goal-to-go situations and a quarterback option on fourth down that had no chance of succeeding.

If you’re gonna go down, why not go out swinging and let Newton sling the rock? Being conservative in a must-win game was a fundamentally senseless decision, regardless of how inept the passing game has looked in recent weeks.

We know the Rams arguably have the best defense in the NFL, but you mean to tell us that running into a cavalcade of 300-pound defensive linemen was a better option than throwing to one of Jakboi Meyers or even N’Keal Harry, who looked like he had something prove? No way.

We commend Newton for unleashing a monologue to defend McDaniels, but his comments really speak more to how much he values their relationship than they justify his play-calling from Thursday night.

Patriots: Bill Belichick needs to get revenge on Brian Flores in Week 15

New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick can pay it forward on Dolphins HC Brian Flores with a Week 15 revenge victory that derails MIA's playoff aspirations.