The Patriots took an ugly loss Sunday as they got demolished 33-6 by the visiting 49ers. Things got so bad that Jarrett Stidham came in and replaced Cam Newton somewhat early in the fourth quarter and played the rest of the game. Newton had just 98 yards and three interceptions before exiting, but he isn’t in any danger of losing his starting job at the moment. Head coach Bill Belichick said after the game that Newton was “absolutely” still his starter.
He added that he just wanted to get the youngster Stidham some more game experience by throwing him out there in a contest that was already decided. Newton now has five interceptions and no passing touchdowns over his past two games since returning from catching COVID-19. It’s unclear whether the virus messed with his conditioning or if anything else is ailing him, but his play has dropped off dramatically from his hot start as a member of the Patriots. Whatever the case, it doesn’t sound like Belichick is planning on making a switch under center anytime soon.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Adam Gase first conceded publicly that he was mulling giving up play-calling duties a couple of weeks ago, and he finally made the plunge on Sunday. Gase handed off the responsibilities to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains for their Week 7 game against the Bills, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports. New York got off to a hot start and they actually led Buffalo at halftime, before completely collapsing and only gaining four total yards in the second half. The last 30 minutes may have changed Gase’s mind, and he said after the game that play-calling will be a week to week decision. He also insisted the decision to give it up was his and his alone.
- Major waves were made last week when we heard that the Saints could potentially be open to trading Michael Thomas in the wake of his antics that got him suspended for one game for fighting a teammate in practice, but it doesn’t sound like New Orleans’ leadership is seriously considering the idea. Head coach Sean Payton immediately responded to a tweet about the report, mocking the idea that actual ‘insiders’ said any such thing (link via Katherine Terrell of the Athletic). While Thomas probably won’t be dealt he is still hurt, and now Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that there’s a good chance Thomas isn’t ready for Week 8 against the Bears due to his hamstring injury. Thomas tweaked his hamstring while working his way back from the high ankle sprain he suffered back in Week 1. With Emmanuel Sanders on the COVID-19 list, the Saints could be without each of their top two wideouts still when they go up against a tough Chicago defense next week.
- After rookie Sam Sloman has looked quite shaky to start the year, the Rams went out and signed kicker Kai Forbath earlier this week. But since Forbath wasn’t able to enter the facility until today due to COVID-19 protocols, he won’t be the kicker for their Monday Night Football game against the Bears. That means Sloman will have at least one more chance to prove he deserves the job. Under the bright lights of a nationally televised game with his competition breathing down his neck, the pressure will certainly be on.
Only reason Gase gave up control was so he’d have someone else to blame
Florio is an insider? He has ESP. Both about as credible.
To many left turns for me,
Your life depends on a a journalist relaying a credible report. Your choices are Mike Florio and Manish Mehta. Whom do you pick?
My noise
Nose
Definitely Manish Mehta.
There are no true journalists anymore. All have agendas.
I don’t necessarily agree with that. Look at the reporters on this site. Writers like Jeff Todd and Luke Adams deserve credit for some quality content
lolll operators in the deep state!11
Cam is done has no confidence short arming passes. Was never a great passer but is worse now.
Haven’t thought for years would see a BB team this bad on both sides. I know guys opted out but there is no depth. I do remember NE being this bad though even worse. Kind of shuts the fans up. Which is nice.
This is the first time New England has been anywhere near sub-.500 in my lifetime, so this is a welcome change. My parents told me the Patriots were a walking joke when they grew up in the 1970s. Besides that weird year they got blown out by Chicago in the Superbowl, it does not appear they were very relevant until Bledsoe got drafted
Everything moves through a cycle given enough time. The Steelers do not appear to have been very relevant until Franco Harris got drafted.
Torn hamstring for M Thomas
I’m confused. We were told all summer that Jarrett Stidham was the next Brady and the Pats wouldn’t miss a beat.
Right!? Pat McAfee sniffed that one out when he noticed none of the Patriot players talked about his strengths or skills. They only talked about how great of a guy he is.
Who told you that? Get better sources
Every Pats fan with internet access. Agreed.
No one said Stidham was the next Brady…no…one
What’s funny is the knobs that said Brady was just a system QB and Bill could plug anyone in and they would still win. Guess now idiots will finally fess up and see Brady was the main reason the Patriots have been as successful as they have been for the last 2 decades
Ehhh you can’t give Brady more credit than Belichick when the Pats had a winning record during his absences.
I don’t think anyone said he was the next Brady. He was viewed as the starter before Cam signed
Being on the bench would afford Cam more time to come up with more ridiculous hair-do’s and shop for more crazy pimp outfits
Pats will be fine, next year. Getting the COVID 8 back, just need a small piece of the puzzle, a QB!