Newton helps New England Patriots to win over the Miami Dolphins

Cam Newton rushes two touchdowns on debut to help New England Patriots beat Miami Dolphins 21-11 in their first game of the NFL season… after arriving in yellow suit and comic-book style loafers

  • Cam Newton arrived at the Gillette Stadium in a golden yellow suit and loafers
  • The 31-year-old joined the New England Patriots from the Carolina Panthers 
  • Newton helped his team to a win in their opening match against Miami 

The Cam Newton era for the New England Patriots arrived on the ground.

Newton looked just fine as Tom Brady’s replacement, rushing for two touchdowns Sunday, and the Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 21-11 to open the season.

Newton rushed for 15 times for 75 yards and threw for 155 yards, leading a Patriots offensive attack that did most of its damage via the rushing game in their first game since the departure of Brady to Tampa Bay as a free agent.

Cam Newton’s outfit stood out as he arrived for his first game for the New England Patriots

The quarterback did a good job as replacement to Tom Brady rushing for two touchdowns

The quarterback is well known for his unique outfit choices and upon arriving at the Gillette Stadium he proved that this would be no different at the New England Patriots.

He arrived wearing a golden yellow suit with loafers with ‘BAM’ written in a classic comic book font.

‘It was relatively picking up right where I remember the game to be,’ said Newton, who played for the first time in more than a year. 

‘I think it was just a feeling-through process as well with (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels), coach Bill (Belichick), as well as (quarterbacks coach) Jedd (Fisch) to understand what they have. … We made the adjustments and we executed.’

Newton’s 75 yards were the most by a Patriots quarterback since Steve Grogan had 81 in 1977.

Sony Michel added a touchdown for New England, which had 217 of its 357 yards on the ground. Newton was 15 of 19 passing.

Newton said not even a postgame scrum in which a Dolphins player ‘got under my skin’ by grabbing his chain could ruin the day.

‘It’s football,’ Newton said. ‘For me no matter who it is, I play with a competitive edge and I respect the other team to have a competitive edge as well.’

Most of the sights and sounds normally associated with Gillette Stadium’s usually raucous crowd were silenced by a Massachusetts COVID-19 ordinance prohibiting fans from attending for at least the first two games of the season.

Aside from the play on the field, the only familiar staples of a normal game day were the presence of Patriots mascot and cheerleaders, though they cheered from a concourse high above New England’s entrance tunnel.

Newton helped his new team to victory in what was his first game in more than a year

It didn’t seem to bother the Patriots, who had plenty to cheer about.

Miami struggled for most of the game offensively and lost top receiver DeVante Parker, who left in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was 20 of 30 for 191 yards and three interceptions. Miami was held to 269 total yards.

‘I felt up front we played well,’ Fitzpatrick said. ‘I have to play better in my part.’

Newton scored from 11 yards early in the third quarter to put New England up 14-3. Late in the period, Jerome Baker kept the Dolphins in the game, stripping N’Keal Harry inside the 5-yard line, causing a fumble through the end zone for a touchback.

Miami then cut New England’s lead to 14-11 in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard TD run by Jordan Howard and 2-point conversion run by Fitzpatrick with 10:31 left.

The Patriots went quickly on their ensuing series and moved inside Miami’s 40, thanks to a 23-yard run by Julian Edelman and 15-yard penalty on Baker for a late hit. Newton muscled inside the 1 on a fourth-and-1 draw play. Michel went over the top for a TD on the next play.

Newton’s 75 yards were the most by a Patriots quarterback since Steve Grogan had 81 in 1977

The Patriots’ defense then shut the door when Fitzpatrick was intercepted in the end zone by J.C. Jackson. Fitzpatrick was intercepted twice, once by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.

‘Just too many turnovers at the end of the day,’ coach Brian Flores said.

Newton’s arrival was expected to bring more of a running mentality to New England’s offense and it showed early.

Newton carried on the second play of the game and capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run on the Patriots’ third possession to put them up 7-0. The 2015 league MVP was untouched as he crossed into the end zone on the play, spiking the ball and flexing as he was surrounded by teammates.

‘He’s earned everybody’s respect,’ Belichick said. ‘That’s all you can ask for anyone and he’s done that.’




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