Cam Newton has recently expressed his thoughts on the New England Patriots’ successful regular season and their current playoff trajectory, which has seen them secure victories against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans. On his “4th & 1” podcast, Newton remarked, “The New England Patriots have had the easiest road to the Super Bowl in NFL history.” He pointed out that the Chargers, who New England faced first in the playoffs, were not considered a formidable opponent. He noted concerns for Justin Herbert, stating, “He don’t got nobody protecting him,” reflecting on the Chargers’ struggles.
Moving on to the Texans, Newton commented on their performance, criticizing rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud for throwing four interceptions and not bringing out the team’s full potential, especially with star receiver Nico Collins absent due to injury. He emphasized that the Texans were not at their best, saying, “That was not the best version of that team.”
Despite the Texans having one of the league’s strongest defenses prior to their matchup with the Patriots, the game saw the New England defense assert dominance. Newton noted that while the Patriots showcased a solid defensive performance, their quarterback, Drake Maye, experienced difficulties as well, culminating in an interception, multiple sacks, and lost fumbles.
Throughout the season, Newton has frequently downplayed the Patriots’ achievements, asserting that while Maye has shown promise, he deserves to face higher-caliber opponents before being considered among the top quarterbacks in the league. He has labeled the team’s recent success as “fool’s gold” and reiterated this sentiment on his podcast, expressing skepticism about the true quality of the opponents faced so far.
Newton acknowledged the Patriots’ regular season wins against tough teams like the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers but maintained that the overall schedule was among the easiest in the NFL. He pointed out that the Patriots capitalized on the opportunities presented to them, winning 14 out of 17 games.
Looking ahead, Newton highlighted the upcoming clash against the Denver Broncos, who will be starting backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham due to Bo Nix’s fractured ankle. This situation may further solidify Newton’s reservations about the Patriots’ path, as he remarked, “You are going up against the second-string quarterback in Jarrett Stidham. Their opponents have been deficient.”
While there’s a mix of skepticism regarding the Patriots’ journey, the team has proven its resilience and determination throughout the season, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup in the AFC Championship Game.