Taking a look at a few crucial plays that factor into the Patriots' game while waiting for the coaches' film to be posted:
3RD & 2 AT NE 45(09:38)
(Shotgun) C.Newton pass short left intended for J.White INTERCEPTED by D.Williams (S.Harris) at NE 34. D.Williams to NE 33 for 1 yard (J.Herron).
I was surprised that after reviewing this play, it was not a designed screen to James White. It was actually a typical Patriots play — dual slants to the left to draw coverage, wheel route to White to the left.
Isaiah Wynn has a terrible rep here, but in what was a story throughout the game, Newton has to speed things up and react. The smart play would have been for him to tuck the ball and scramble to the right. Even if he's tackled, it's better than the tip/interception.
FAULT: Wynn/Newton.
2ND & 9 AT DEN 39
(4:25) (Shotgun) C.Newton sacked at DEN 48 for -9 yards (A.Chickillo). NE-J.Eluemunor was injured during the play.
Broncos show pressure yet Newton doesn't speed himself up. As you see in the coaches' film down below, Newton didn't really have anyone "open" but he had to throw to one of the two verticals, or to one of the two late checkdowns.
3RD & 6 AT NE 29(13:44)
(13:44) (Shotgun) C.Newton sacked at NE 20 for -9 yards (B.Chubb). FUMBLES (B.Chubb) [B.Chubb], recovered by NE-M.Onwenu at NE 25.
Wynn is caved in by Bradley Chubb. While this play did take a little bit of time, Newton really didn't have a chance.
1ST & 10 AT NE 25(00:37)
(:37) C.Newton pass short right intended for N.Harry INTERCEPTED by B.Callahan at NE 39. B.Callahan pushed ob at NE 20 for 19 yards (J.White). The Replay Official reviewed the runner was not down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. C.Newton pass short right intended for N.Harry INTERCEPTED by B.Callahan at NE 39. B.Callahan to NE 39 for no gain (N.Harry).
The reason why Newton has so many passed deflected is two-fold. For one thing, whether it's interior defensive linemen or a spy, Newton has a lot of people reading him to make sure he doesn't take off and run. They would rather not rush him to make him throw from the pocket. Pocket QBs usually have more dedicated rushers because they're not going there. And Newton has a tendency to stare down receivers.
On this play, it was mostly the tip, but Harry also runs a mediocre route where he a) turns his head and slows down, and then b) starts to fade his route, which helps Simmons undercut the route and make the interception.
1ST & 10 AT DEN 25
(5:15) (Shotgun) C.Newton sacked at DEN 30 for -5 yards (M.Reed).
Just a killer sack helps contribute to a field goal. There wasn't really anyone open on this play, but Newton could have throw left to Damiere Byrd with better anticipation, or dumped it down to Devin Asiasi — but obviously they don't want to throw it to him. At the least, Newton has to throw the ball away and not take the sack.
2ND & 10 AT DEN 24(01:14)
(1:14) (Shotgun) C.Newton sacked at DEN 30 for -6 yards (M.Reed).
Another killer sack from Newton and this time, Byrd was wide buck-naked open on a slant in two different windows. This sack was inexcusable. (Video part of above sequence).
4TH & 10 AT DEN 24(01:03)
(1:03) (Shotgun) C.Newton pass incomplete short right to N.Harry [S.Harris].
Final play of the game for the Patriots and the Broncos come with a zero blitz. The play to Harry was there, but Newton didn't throw it cleanly under pressure, and he just missed it.
