The New England Patriots pulled quarterback Cam Newton in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at the start of the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who the Patriots promoted to QB2 in Week 6, took over for Newton.
Newton finished the game throwing 9 of 15 for 98 yards and three interceptions. That meant the quarterback threw interceptions on 20% of his throws. That helps explain Newton’s passer rating: 39.7. Newton’s last throw of the game was an interception to cornerback Jamar Taylor after the quarterback threw behind receiver Julian Edelman, who was just a few yards beyond the line of scrimmage. The ball bounced off Edelman’s hands and high into the air, where Taylor easily fielded the ball.
It was an awful night for Newton, whose lowest point might not have even been his final interception. His first interception, a target for Jakobi Meyers, was a horrible decision, with the quarterback having room to run. Instead, he forced the ball to Meyers and didn’t throw the ball with enough power. The result was an each catch for 49ers linebacker Fred Warner.
It remained to be seen which quarterback — Newton, Stidham or Brian Hoyer — will start in Week 8 when the Patriots play the Bills in Buffalo.
