The 2021 NFL preseason has officially begun, and the quarterback battle for the New England Patriots is in full swing. Cam Newton is considered the presumed starter for Week 1, although Mac Jones can prove that he deserves recognition in his rookie season.
In Thursday’s 22-13 defeat of the Washington football team, the signal caller’s pass score was almost the same. Newton completed 4 of the 7 passes with a passing distance of 49 yards and a rating of 78.9. Jones scored 87 yards and scored 78.2 in his first NFL game with a score of 13-19.
When the schedule shifts to the regular season, what does this mean for their chances of playing?
Newton is still considered a popular candidate to start the first week. DraftKings sports betting Give Jones +250 odds to get first place in the Patriots’ season opener. Jones has -350 odds on the sidelines.
Newton replaced Tom Brady as the Patriots quarterback in 15 of the 16 games in the 2020 season. The veteran has a 7-8 record with 2,657 passing yards, 8 pass touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Newton struggled in passing games, but did add 592 yards and 12 points.
Against Washington, Newton’s average target depth was less than one yard. Jones’ pitch is more aggressive, averaging 7.6 yards per goal.
Patriots QB’s average target depth against Washington
_ Mike Jones: 7.6
_Cam Newton: 0.7 pic.twitter.com/eetLZKa3qx— PFF (@PFF) August 13, 2021
Cam Newton and Mac Jones in the Patriots’ preseason opener (via @ESPNStatsInfo and @NextGenStats) pic.twitter.com/pj47XBBZMq
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 13, 2021
Jones was selected with the 15th overall pick in the first round. New England wants him to be the franchised quarterback of the team. It was only a matter of time before Bill Belichick gave Jones the key to the offense.
“He came to talk to me, we only talked about his expectations. Every young quarterback has experienced it-excitement, anticipation,” Newton Tell reporter Thursday, about Jones. “He wants to be so perfect, I see his preparations are always primitive. This is where I admire him.”
Jones set a staggering number in his final season in Alabama, throwing 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. The rookie was surrounded by talented people in college, but the Patriots had one of the worst wide receivers in the NFL.
As far as the 2021 season is concerned, Newton may provide a higher field for the Patriots. Jones’ upper limit is higher.
After improving their roster through free agents and returning players who opted out of the 2020 season, New England should be a contender for the playoffs, even with an average quarterback performance.
The Patriots will play the last two exhibition games on August 19th and August 29th. The New England team is scheduled to visit the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 on September 12.
Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
