Perry's Report Card: Newton, Pats save the best for last
For a team that suffered through a disappointing 2020 campaign, the Patriots showed plenty of good signs in their regular-season finale -- and Phil Perry's final Report Card of the season includes some solid across-the-board grades.
Maybe all he needed was a little manifestation party? Cam Newton might've played his last game in Foxboro. But after spending New Year's Eve visualizing a better year for himself and others, as he told reporters Sunday, he went out against the Jets and had one of his best performances of the season. No it wasn't perfect, but maybe it's time for all of us to burn a little sage, break out some gemstones and start envisioning a better future for ourselves.
Let's get to the grades . . .
It was Newton's first game exceeding 8.0 yards per attempt (8.1) since Week 11. It was his first time blowing past a QBR of 70 (70.8) since Week 10. And it was his highest-rated game of 2020 (127.4). Newton threw touchdowns to three different receivers and was on the receiving end of a gorgeous touchdown pass from former Arabia Mountain High quarterback Jakobi Meyers.
Newton still had a handful of inexplicable misses, and he took a sack when he held on too long to a quick-hitter. But the team was 2-for-2 inside the red zone, 50 percent on third down, he was mostly accurate on productive swing passes to his backs, and he was a problem as a runner, compiling 79 yards on 11 carries, including one explosive 49-yarder on the game's opening drive.
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Outside of a James White drop and a sack allowed in pass protection, this group was dynamic in Sunday's win. White caught four passes for 31 yards and a touchdown -- to be expected for the team's top sub back.
It was Sony Michel, though, who exploded as a receiver. No doubt, some of his production came as a product of the Jets choosing not to cover him, but he finished with three catches for 60 yards and a 31-yard score. He also rolled up 76 yards on 16 carries, including some bruising carries as the Patriots salted away the clock. Shades of 2018 Michel in this one.
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Jakobi Meyers can play. Is he a No. 2? A No. 3? Who cares? He can play. Though he's not all that explosive athletically, he made tacklers miss with stiff arms and spin moves. He was sure-handed, catching six of seven targets for 68 yards. He did have a snap bounce off his leg. His fault? Center James Ferentz's fault? He might've run an incorrect route on third down leading to a misfire from Newton. He failed to get out of bounds despite trying to slide in-bounds at the last second late in the game with the outcome just about in hand. Nice day for him. He should have a role on next year's club.
This grade would've been higher but the rest of the group was quiet (five catches, 38 yards), and Damiere Byrd appeared to be the culprit on an illegal formation penalty.
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Devin Asiasi had himself a day. He made a nice diving catch for his first pro reception. He also hauled in his first NFL touchdown on a well-placed pass from Newton. He flashed good acceleration off the line and soft hands. He found himself at the point of attack on Newton's 50-yard run, helping to seal off the middle of the field to spring his quarterback. He picked up a false start, and Bill Belichick made it clear that Asiasi and other second-year players in 2021 have plenty of work ahead for themselves. But Newton conceded that a player like Asiasi can carry some momentum into next season after putting together the performance he put together Sunday afternoon.
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The Patriots allowed three sacks, but one fell on White in pass protection, and one seemed to fall on Newton as he held onto the football for an extended period. Otherwise? One sack. One penalty on the first play of the game (Justin Herron, ineligible downfield).
They helped Newton put together one of his best games of the season, and they allowed the team to average 5.7 yards per carry. A meaningless game in early January probably isn't the way in which Joe Thuney hoped to wrap up his Patriots career -- if indeed it's about to wrap up -- but the o-line performance itself Sunday could've been much worse.
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Couple penalties in the kicking game docked this grade. Terrence Brooks was flagged for a block in the back and Joejuan Williams was called for a hold on a very short kick return by Donte Moncrief. But overall this was yet another strong game from Jake Bailey and the Field Position 10. Of his six punts, three landed at the Jets 10-yard line or inside. He had two kicks bound into the end zone after having only three all year . . . but even those were well-placed kicks that just bounced the wrong way for the Patriots.
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Adam Butler picked up a sack in what might've ended up his last performance in Foxboro. Butler wasn't the only big-bodied lineman for the Patriots to potentially be playing his last game at Gillette Stadium. Lawrence Guy ended up with five tackles and Deatrich Wise checked in with four. In the second half, Jets backs ran for just 3.8 yards per attempt thanks in part to this unit.
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Chase Winovich did Chase Winovich things on passing downs. That part of his game has never been in question. When allowed to get after quarterbacks in obvious passing situations, he's as efficient a rusher as the Patriots have on their roster. He notched two sacks on Sunday, he batted a pass on third down and he picked up one additional pressure.
Against the run, he still had his issues setting the edge. But with the Jets trying to come back on the scoreboard, the game's pace lent itself to more opportunities for Winovich to fly around and make life tough on quarterback Sam Darnold.
