For the third time this season, Cam Newton was on the bench because the Patriots completed out a contest. The quarterback was despatched to the sideline instead of Jarrett Stidham within the third quarter of New England’s eventual 38-9 loss to the Buffalo Payments on Monday evening. Previous to the benching, Newton as soon as once more struggled to throw the ball because the Patriots compiled simply 34 yards by way of the air because the quarterback accomplished 50% of his throws. He was capable of finding the top zone together with his ft, however lack of aerial assault is what put a fork within the Pats in Week 16 and has in the end been their undoing this season. 

Regardless of Newton’s points passing, Invoice Belichick has adamantly stood by him and has basically by no means wavered about his beginning standing. Whereas nothing is official as of but, that appears prefer it’ll stay true main into the regular-season finale in opposition to the New York Jets. Throughout his Tuesday look on WEEI’s Ordway, Merloni & Fauria, the pinnacle coach was requested if Newton could be the starter because the Patriots shut out the yr in Week 17. 

“I’d think about, however hey we’re going by way of that now,” he stated, by way of WEEI.com. “We’ll see.”

The loss on Monday and the offensive struggles on the yr as a complete have not fallen completely on Newton’s shoulders, however there was a case for seeing if the offense appears any totally different with Stidham because the starter. With Newton solely on a one-year deal and Stidham a fourth-round draft selection in 2019, one would assume it’d behoove New England’s prospects going ahead as they search for a long-term reply on the place to present Stidham a glance because the starter for the primary time since he is arrived in Foxborough. 

That, nevertheless, hasn’t occurred up to now and should not are available 2020. When the thought was thrown out that the Patriots could not discover out something new about Stidham by beginning him in opposition to the Jets, Belichick stated, “I believe there could be some reality to that.”

He later famous: “In some unspecified time in the future he’ll get a chance to play with a very good alternative to arrange and play, and that shall be a greater analysis. No matter level that’s, I do not know.”

That loss to Buffalo put the Patriots at 6-9 heading into Week 17 and ensures their first dropping season since 2000. Whereas it hasn’t been fairly at instances, all indications level to Belichick happening with the ship with Newton as his QB1.