Cam Newton Doubts Patriots’ Playoff Readiness Amid Success

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Former New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton has expressed skepticism about the team’s postseason potential, despite their impressive 9-2 record this season. During an appearance on ESPN‘s First Take, Newton suggested the Patriots’ success may be misleading due to their weak strength of schedule.

“It has fool’s gold written all over them,” Newton remarked. He raised concerns that facing weaker teams could lead players to develop an unrealistic mindset heading into the playoffs. “If you keep playing sorry scrubs, then you’re going to have this falsetto of a mentality going into the playoffs, and it has one-and-done written all over it,” he added.

The Patriots’ schedule has been criticized for its lack of challenge, as their opponents have a combined winning percentage of just .356, the lowest in the league. While their strength of victory stands at .353, similar to other playoff contenders like the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, Newton remains unconvinced.

While acknowledging the proficient play of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Newton pointed to head coach Josh McDaniels as a key influence on Maye’s performance. He praised McDaniels as a brilliant offensive mind, attributing Maye’s success in part to his coaching.

Newton further highlighted the Patriots’ win against playoff-caliber teams, noting their victories over the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he expressed a preference for the Indianapolis Colts, suggesting their recent trades and aggressive moves position them better for postseason success.

Despite the skepticism, the Patriots continue to dominate on the field, winning their last eight games under new coach Mike Vrabel. They will face the Cincinnati Bengals next on Nov. 23 and seek to shake off doubts as they aim for a deeper playoff run.