Cam Newton believes Patriots have ‘fool’s gold written all over them’

Cam Newton isn’t shopping for into the Patriots simply but.

The previous Patriots quarterback is skeptical that the staff could have success within the postseason as a result of their poor energy of schedule regardless of their league-best 9-2 document.

“It has idiot’s gold written throughout them,” Newton mentioned of the Patriots on ESPN’s “First Take.” “The factor I’ve an issue with is for those who hold taking part in sorry scrubs, then you definately’re going to have this falsetto of a mentality going into the playoffs and it has one-and-done written throughout it.”

New England’s energy of schedule has been ceaselessly talked about as a cause why the Patriots may need a decrease ceiling than different AFC contenders to this point this season. The Patriots’ energy of schedule isn’t solely the worst within the league this season, however they’re additionally the one staff whose opponents’ mixed successful share is lower than .400 (.356). Another measures level to the Patriots’ strength of schedule being historically weak.

Nevertheless, the Patriots’ energy of victory, which is the mixed successful share of opponents crushed, isn’t too far off in comparison with another AFC playoff contenders. They’ve a .353 energy of victory (.353), which is within the because the Colts (.373), Payments (.362), and Chiefs (.362). That mark can be higher than the Broncos’ energy of victory mark this season (.331).

After all, the Patriots are additionally 2-1 towards groups above .500 this season. They acquired upset wins over the Payments and Buccaneers on the highway, whereas dropping to the Steelers at residence in Week 3.

However Newton likes one other shock AFC contender over the Patriots.

“On the finish of the day, whenever you begin to examine and distinction, I’m going to must say the Indianapolis Colts,” Newton mentioned.

Newton added that he felt the Colts’ determination to commerce two first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner elevated them and thinks it helped create a mindset that they’re for actual, even when he isn’t a giant fan of quarterback Daniel Jones. The Colts are additionally 2-2 towards .500 groups this yr, beating the Broncos and Chargers, whereas dropping to the Rams and Steelers.

Newton gave some props to Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, although. He credited McDaniels’s “sensible offensive thoughts” for serving to Maye play on the degree of an MVP contender this season, with the Patriots quarterback rating seventh in passing yards per sport (257.8), tied for second in landing passes (20), and fifth in passer score (113.2)

“He’s taking part in sensible,” Newton added on Maye. “He’s taking part in clear soccer.”

Nonetheless, Newton thinks that the Patriots received’t be battle-tested sufficient to make a run within the postseason.

“I’ve extra considerations with the New England Patriots taking part in 5 and 6 groups which have dropping information than going right into a state of affairs the place the competitors exceeds what you’ll have been used to,” Newton mentioned. “That’s the largest query I’ve for Drake Maye.”