New England patriotic coach Phil Belichic decides not to change quarterback after being dragged out Cam Newton 24-3 road loss Thursday night to the Los Angeles Rams early in the fourth quarter.
“Game is our quarterback,” Belichick said in a post-game news conference, cutting off the question of his answer.
Newton finished 9-for-16 for 119 yards against the Rams, with a costly interception, sent back for a 79-yard touchdown, once again spreading the patriotic offense.
Was appointed to replace him Jared Stidham With 10 minutes and 14 seconds left, the Patriots trailed 24-3.
Stidham was a top candidate in the 2019 fourth round draft selection from Auburn Tom BradyNewton was replaced at the start of the season on July 8 before signing a one-year deal.
When asked why he would not switch to Stitam now, and what Newton had shown Belich to stick with him, Belich simply said: “He’s our quarterback, I think I responded to that.”
The Patriots (6-7) still have slim odds with ESPN to qualify for the postseason. Football power table Gives them a 6% chance. They visit the Miami Dolphins (8-4) on Sunday, December 20, before finishing the home games against the Buffalo Bills (9-3) and the New York Jets (0-12).
According to Newton, he has been very effective as a Russian this season, going 451 yards out of a total of 113 with 11 touchdowns. But when the opponents limited Newton’s quick yards, and extended the overall running game of the Patriots, the offense could not continue to move the ball through the air.
Newton, when asked if he was worried he would be replaced, said, “That’s not my call. I do what I ask, with the mindset that I need to be healed, that’s what I plan to do.”
Newton has now crossed 2,172 yards for the season and is 301 for 199, with five touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
This, in turn, dragged Newton twice with Belichick, 31, delaying blower losses, prompting questions about possible change.
Asked if he was happy with Stitam’s growth this season and what he saw from him, Belichick said: “Yes, Jared has worked hard. He tried to use his opportunities, but it really wasn’t.”
Newton has been playing with a stomach injury in the last two games, but said it did not affect him on the field.
“We have to be good and it starts with me personally,” he said. “There’s more drama to be done, and that’s what’s coming down.”
