Cam Newton: Return of The Machine

 The New England Patriots have embodied the energy that Cam Newton has brought to the team since signing with the team. Through the first three weeks, the Patriots have have a record of 2-1 behind Cam and have been one of the biggest talking points of the league so far. 

Newton has over 700 yards passing, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions and is currently leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 4. 

People wrote Cam Newton off after being released from the Carolina Panthers. Injuries plagued Newton over the past few years and some wondered if he'd be the same after suffering a serious shoulder injury and having some back and leg problems as well. However, Newton stayed consistent this offseason with his training. There was actual doubt that any team would sign him after the draft. The Patriots and Chargers were front-runners to sign him [Newton]. However, after Chargers drafted Justin Herbert it became clear that they had an idea of what they were going to do at quarterback. The Patriots were the last hope and it was unclear if they would be the team to do so based on their history. Newton is flashy, charismatic and not very Patriot-like when it comes to his approach to the game. 

Late June, it happened, the Patriots announced that they were signing Newton to a one-year deal. It was questioned if he would be the starting quarterback before the season. However, we knew it was never really a question. Newton a former NFL MVP and

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has shown that he trusts Newton and has embraced everything that comes with him. He allows him to play his style of football, doesn't require for him to water down his personality on-or off-the-field.

Through three weeks, Newton has just 2 passing touchdowns and a league-best 4 rushing touchdowns while completing 68 percent of his passes. The numbers aren't astronomical, by any means. But, in my opinion, Newton has already proved that he still has plenty left in the tank still and a lot of value remaining in his football life. 
 

Top 10 Takeaways From the NFL: Week 1

   

Tom Brady

The NFL is back. Week 1 of the season was entertaining to say the least. There was a lot of old faces in new places, a few highly anticipated debuts and plenty of empty stadiums. I will give the top 10 things that stood out to me more than anything. 

1. The Colts overpaid for Philip Rivers - Philip Rivers was paid over $20 million for the 2020 season. He is coming off of his worst season and people thought 2020 he would redeem himself and help the Colts compete for one of the top spots in the AFC. Well, after the performance against Jacksonville, I can officially tell you that it will be another season of BAD Philip Rivers. 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions and only producing 3 points in the second half against a team that everyone believed to be "tanking". 

2. Russell Wilson is still as good as advertised - Russell Wilson might get him a well-deserved MVP trophy this season if he puts on this type of show every week. 31 of 35 passes completed 322 yards passing and 4 touchdowns. Not only did they beat Atlanta in the dome, they made it look fairly easy and most of it was the Russell Wilson show. 

3. DeAndre Hopkins wasn't the problem he is just a problem - The Houston Texans traded away their star wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, over the summer to the Arizona Cardinals. In his Cardinals debut, Hopkins only caught 14 passes for 151 yards. Kyler Murray is my MVP front-runner for the 2020 season and Hopkins is the reason why. With five 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his first six seasons, I am still trying to rationalize why the Texans traded Hopkins, he was clearly the best receiver the franchise had seen since Andre Johnson. New team, new quarterback, same great receiver. 

4. The Washington Football Team showing coaching can makeup for talent - In their debut with the new team name, new coach in Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio,  Washington came from a 17-point deficit and scored 27 unanswered points to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-17. Many people have been saying that Eagles quarterback, Carson Wentz lost this game for the Eagles. I saw a Washington defense win the game. 8 sacks, pressure on nearly every passing play and they held the Eagles to under 60 rushing yards in the game. I was very impressed with what I saw from what I saw from a Washington defense that doesn't have much star power on it. Jack Del Rio is one of the greatest defensive coordinators I have seen. 2020 could be a season that Washington becomes a team that begins to trend up. 

5. Cleveland is a work in progress - The Cleveland Browns got embarrassed by the Baltimore Ravens. While people can say that Cleveland is still Cleveland, I'm the optimism that the Browns need for 2020. I believe that Baker Mayfield will get things corrected, head coach Kevin Stefanski will continue to find out what works for the offense and they still have running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Even though the Ravens won 38-6, the Browns had both Hunt and Chubb average over 5 yards per carry. Cleveland can still have a good season, there's a lot of football left to play. Also, they don't have to play the Ravens every week, so there's a bright spot. 

6. The Lions aren't making the playoffs with that performance - A lot of analysts have been on this "Lions are going to be a surprise playoff team in 2020" and based on the 23-6 lead they gave up to the Bears, I can't buy-in. I like Matt Stafford and believe he's wasting his best years trying to help the Lions become a competitor in the NFC. They haven't made the playoffs since 2016 and have had a worse record every year since. This could be the final year for head coach Matt Patricia, if he doesn't show improvement with this ball team. They won't have to make the playoffs but they have to win at least 6-or-7 games coming off a 3-win season in 2019. 

7. Tom Brady is getting older and is no longer playing for the Patriots - Tampa Bay was probably the most hyped-up team entering the 2020 season. In his Buccaneers debut, Brady looked like he was playing for a new team. The Saints are a very good team, the defense is serious this season, and they showed Brady who is the superior team in the NFC South. Tom Brady completed 23 of his 36 passes with 2 touchdowns through the air (also, had one rushing). However, the 2 interceptions, one for a defensive touchdown, is what hurt Tom terrific in his debut. Brady at times looked like he was on opposite pages with the receivers and didn't look like he trusted some of his teammates. Maybe they get things turned around as the season progresses. But, honestly, I believe this is an average team with a 9-win season being the ceiling. Maybe I'm wrong. 

8. Kickers need crowds - I saw a handful of games with kickers missing what are seen as "chip-shots" or fairly easy field goals. The Cincinnati Bengals were a field goal away from taking the Los Angeles Chargers to overtime and then kicker Randy Bullock went to attempt a 31-yard field goal, missing it wide to the right. The Cleveland Browns waived kicker Austin Seibert on Monday after he missed a field goal before halftime. There were kicks missed all around the NFL in the opening week. I don't know if they need the crowd or if it was due to the lack of the offseason. I guess it's safe to say "kicking ain't easy". 

9. The Baltimore Ravens are ready - Already in mid-season form, the Baltimore Ravens are playing like they have something to prove. The rich obviously got richer this offseason. When you already had to worry about this team running the ball on offense, finishing first in that category in 2019, they went out and drafted former Ohio State Buckeyes stand-out running back J.K. Dobbins in the second round. Putting up 38 points in their opening game against Cleveland leads me to believe that they still have a sour taste in their mouth from the loss to the Tennessee Titans in the 2019 playoffs. I expect Lamar Jackson to run less in 2019 and have more passing touchdowns. 

10. Aaron Rodgers is like wine - The Green Bay Packers traded up in the 2020 NFL draft and with their first-round pick took quarterback Jordan Love, from Utah State, to potentially be the successor to Aaron Rodgers. In week 1 of the season, against the Minnesota Vikings, Rodgers proved that he still has a lot left in the tank. 36-year-old Rodgers threw 4 touchdowns, 364-yards passing and made it look easy. Rodgers had 24 touchdowns through the air and only 2 interceptions in 2019... 2020 can he repeat that type of performance or even better? 

The opening week of the NFL season was entertaining... I can't wait to see what week 2 has for us. 

One Question for All 32 NFL Teams Before the Season Starts

  Just before the start of the 2020 NFL season begins, I would like to ask question to every single team. Every team has at least one thing that I am curious about going into the season and I believe every question could be relevant to how the season will play out for the team. In a season where every team has more to worry about than just player injuries on the field, they have to worry about the Covid-19 pandemic that has plagued all other sports leagues and the entire world in some capacity. As of right now, the season looks as if it will resume as normal. However, some things will not be the same, attendance in stadiums will take a huge decline in some stadiums. Some teams have already announced that they will not have fan attendance at all for the opening games. But these questions have nothing to do with Covid-19, they are more about the players, coaches and organizational direction. 

1. Arizona Cardinals - Are you built to win now? With the addition of Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins on the offensive side of the ball and drafting Isaiah Simmons, who a lot of scouts saw as the best defensive prospect in this years draft, are you ready to compete for the top of the NFC West? San Francisco coming off of the Super Bowl appearance (Super Bowl hangover), Seattle Seahawks still seem to be lacking a defensive identity after the legion of boom broke up and the Rams lost a lot since appearing in the Super Bowl in 2019. With the door pretty much open in your division can you capitalize? 
2. Atlanta Falcons - Can Todd Gurley help turn things around and can you help turn him around?  In an offense that is loaded at the Wide Receiver position and a former-MVP quarterback in Matt Ryan, can this team get back to the big game with the addition of a play-making running back like Todd Gurley? He [Gurley] is entering in a very crucial season himself, after being released from the Los Angeles Rams, analysts saying that his career is coming close to being over, him not being the same player due to a knee injury and being diagnosed with arthritis. 2020 can be the re-birth of Todd Gurley and The Atlanta Falcons. The question is will it? or will they disappoint like they have since the second half of the 2017 Super Bowl (Including overtime, they were outscored 31-7 and blew a 25-point lead to the New England Patriots).
3. Carolina Panthers - Who takes the blame if it's a bad season? New coach in Matt Rule, new quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater; this team will look completely different than it did just a year ago. Teddy Bridgewater gets his first starting gig since injuring his knee in Minnesota after proving his health and stability in New Orleans. However, we haven't seen him start for a full season. While I am a believer in Bridgewater, I have more questions about the head coach. Matt Rule, former Baylor head coach, has big shoes to fill and has to make the organization look smart after taking a chance on a college head coach who was known for his offensive brilliance. 
4. Chicago Bears - Is defense enough? The Bears just named Mitch Trubisky the starting quarterback, at least for week 1, after trading for Nick Foles (from Jacksonville) this offseason. Injured for most of last season, Foles didn't show much in Jacksonville and with the Bears having issues with their offense last season, declining Trubisky's option of the final year on his contract, it was assumed that it would be Foles' job for 2020. I am convinced that the Bears' offense in 2020 will be the same as it was in 2019. The Bears are known historically for having teams with a good defense. If the Bears are going to win in 2020, it looks like it will have to be with defense.
5. Baltimore Ravens - Can Lamar give us an encore? Reigning MVP of the league and  Ravens' quarterback, Lamar Jackson, absolutely amazed last season as he carried this team to the league-best 14-2 record. After coming up short in the playoffs, the Ravens have to find a way to keep the offense flowing because the Tennessee Titans left the offense and Jackson with a bad taste in their mouth. The question is has Jackson been figured out or was it just a bad night? 
6. Buffalo Bills - Can you take control of your division? With the Patriots now without Tom Brady and them [the Bills] as one of the best stories in 2019, can they step up and win the division as many have them projected to do? Or is this team going back to the top of the draft and bottom of the league?
7. Cincinnati Bengals - How many wins is good enough to save Zac Taylor's job? Taylor in his first as the head coach in Cincinnati had a 2-14 record. While injuries and a bad offensive line did plague the team, many people believe that the teams talent should've got them more than just 2 wins. With Andy Dalton gone and phenom rookie quarterback Joe Burrow now with the keys to the car, can Zac Taylor lead this team to more wins in 2020 ... How many? ... because I don't know if another season below 5 wins will fair well for his coaching career. I think that he has to win at least 5 and competitive in most games. 
8. Cleveland Browns - Is the Third time the charm? The Browns are on their third head coach since drafting quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2018. Will Kevin Stefanski get this team into the playoffs and Baker to be one of the top quarterbacks in the league? The talent is there, at least on paper, but they have to put it together on the field. If the Browns can 
9. Dallas Cowboys - Are you Super Bowl bound? The Dallas Cowboys probably had the most impressive offseason, in my opinion. They finally seemed to have figured things out; they hired the right coach in Mike McCarthy, had a very good draft, got Dak Prescott to sign the franchise tag, added depth to the defensive line. Now, the only thing to do, they have to win the games they are supposed to. After not making the playoffs in the 2019 season, the Cowboys have to dominate in 2020 and show they aren't just a team that is good on paper. 
10. Denver Broncos - Is the reign over? They were once seen as one of the premier defensive teams in the NFL. Now, I'm not so sure. Von Miller still has the ability to be the top pass-rusher in the NFL but the rest of the defense has to help. They did acquire cornerback A.J. Bouye (from Jacksonville) to help in a depleted secondary and  defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (from Tennessee) to help add depth to the defensive line. This is a team that is very young on offense and will depend a lot on the defense to provide them with opportunities to win games.
11. Detroit Lions - Will this be the year that things change? The Lions have been at the bottom of the division and out of the playoff picture for some time now, every year it is believed that they will turn it around. With head coach Matt Patricia entering his third season with the team, it's crucial that they make a splash on to the scene in the NFC North.  
12. Green Bay Packers - The coach or quarterback? Clearly looks like the Packers are thinking about life after Aaron Rodgers after trading up in the first-round of the 2020 draft for quarterback Jordan Love. In a season that could be the last year for future hall-of-fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, in Green Bay, it will be interesting to see how the veterans on the team responds to head coach Matt LaFleur if the team starts to struggle through the season. 
13. Houston Texans - What are you building? DeAndre Hopkins is now gone and you've signed Watson to an extension ... What are you giving him to build on? ... it's showing that Watson is franchise but can they trust the receivers that he has now? Fuller, Stills and Cooks are all big-play receivers but have a history of injuries. the question: Can they stay healthy in 2020 and help get the Texans back in the playoffs?
14. Indianapolis Colts - Can you overtake the AFC South? The Colts were on the fence of being a very good team in 2019. They signed former Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to a monster one-year deal and trade for  defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (from San Francisco). With these two huge additions to the team, can that be enough to win the division? 
15. Jacksonville Jaguars - Are you tanking or does it just look like you are? After trading away Nick Foles and releasing running back Leonard Fournette and basically your entire defense that helped you get to the AFC Championship just a few years ago, it's clear that you're not invested in the 2020 season. I would predict this team is more likely to be a lock for a top-3 draft pick in 2021. 
16. Kansas City Chiefs - What's Next? It's clear that you have the tools to be a dynasty, now you have made quarterback Patrick Mahomes the highest paid player in the league and practically bringing back the entire team. But after the Super Bowl run in 2019-20, can you repeat? 
17. Las Vegas Raiders - What will being in a new city bring? Will a change from Oakland, California to Las Vegas, Nevada bid well for the Raiders who haven't seen much success in the past decade? Will John Gruden prove that he is worth that $100 Million contract? With the young pieces in place, I think it'll be interesting to see what this team can become, however, I don't know if I see double-digit wins for this Raiders team in 2020. I hope they prove me wrong. 
18. Los Angeles Chargers - Do you trust the change you created? You're a much different team than you were over the past 16 seasons, mainly because you'll have a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2003. No Philip Rivers brings a lot of excitement and questions for an organization that wants to be a top organization but also is getting younger. The Chargers are paying the right people (just paid Joey Bosa and Keenan Allen) but they still have to win games. In a division that'll be tough to win, can they compete and sneak into the playoffs?
19. Los Angeles Rams - Can Goff carry the load? This team isn't the same team it was just nearly 3 years ago. With Todd Gurely, now in Atlanta, after the Rams released him this offseason, it's time to see who the next man up is; Darrell Henderson Jr. led the country in rushing at Memphis and has the potential to be star running back in the league. And Cam Akers looks like he was drafted to be the man. I guess early odds are it will be a "by committee" decision. But the question for them is can Goff carry the load until they establish the premier back?
20. Miami Dolphins - Are you thinking about 2020 or 2021? It may be in your best interest to bench Tua, let him recover a full season, learn the game and attack 2021 like you own it. Ryan Fitzpatrick is seasoned enough to get you wins. However, the question is will benching Tua for a season result in Brian Flores losing his job? 
21. Minnesota Vikings - Is this the year you get to a championship or is the window closing? You paid Kirk Cousins to get you to the next level (a Super Bowl) but you seem to be regressing as a team. Now, you lose a few key starters on defense in Everson Griffen and Xavier Rhodes to name some and you lose your offensive coordinator. Will this be the same team in 2020 as it was in 2019? Also, can rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson fill the shoes of Stefon Diggs? You paid Mike Zimmer, he's a great coach, but is the talent enough to get you to a Super Bowl.
22. New England Patriots - End or an era or beginning of a new one? Bill Belichick is probably going to go down as the greatest coach in NFL history. People often give Tom Brady a lot of the success for New England, I give it to Bill. I believe that Cam Newton will have one of his best seasons, his first season in New England, and this team makes the playoffs.  The biggest question for them is how with this defense look with the starters that opted-out due to Covid-19. 
23. New Orleans Saints - Super Bowl or Bust? Drew Brees is getting a little long in the tooth ... This team has invested, from the looks of it, into getting Brees and the Saints back to a Super Bowl in 2020-21. You brought in Emmanuel Sanders to line-up opposite star receiver Michael Thomas and it looks to be a top-10 defense this season. 
24. New York Giants   - Is Joe Judge more than a special teams coach? The Patriots' coaching tree seems to be hit-or-miss and the Giants are hoping it's a hit. With the talent they have, they should be able to win more games than last year. But, I believe depth is more important for this team than the talent they have listed as starters... Because injuries could separate this team between 8 wins and 3 wins. 
25. New York Jets - Is this the year Adam Gase has to prove himself? Gase came in and seemed to have had a plan ... I still can't tell what that is ... However, Sam Darnold still is a mystery to me, Le'veon Bell is the best player on the team but seems to not be on the same page as the coaches and I still couldn't tell you who the no.1 receiver is on the team. I think Gase has to show a flip this season if he wants to be the head coach in 2021. 
26. Philadelphia Eagles - Will this season be about the team or individuals? It's no secret that the Eagles may be eyeing the future of the organization after drafting Jalen Hurts in the second round of this years draft. However, Carson Wentz is the starter and has played great WHEN healthy. Hence, I said WHEN. But, the Eagles were a team that squeaked it's way into the playoffs last season and hope to be Super Bowl contender again in 2021. Adding Darius Slay was a major upgrade for the secondary, but little-to-no depth at linebacker could hurt this team. I think 2021 could be another year of tight games and chance for the Eagles. 
27. Pittsburgh Steelers - Are you back to claim the AFC North? This Steelers team, in my opinion, could be one of the more complete teams in 2020. The defense looks very good on paper and the offense, with Ben Rothelisberger back, should be a top-10 offense. The biggest question will be health. And the next question will be, can you beat the Ravens? Baltimore had the best record in the league in 2019 and they said that they have something to prove in 2020. The Steelers have to match that energy when they play both times this season. 
28. San Francisco 49ers - Super Bowl hangover? The age-old tale is that the losing team of the Super Bowl often has a worse season after. It could be due to the emotion of knowing you lost the biggest game of your career, could come from trying to recapture the season you had the year before or it could come from a change in team/players. Look, I think that this Niners team takes a step back in 2020. It's not because they aren't talented, but because other teams got better; the NFC West will be a gauntlet and I don't see the Niners walking out on top. 
29. Seattle Seahawks - Will you be the same team without the 12th Man or is ONE man enough? Russell Wilson has been one of the best football players since entering the NFL and being named a starter. He's had little protection and not much experience to surround him, at the receiver position, since Doug Baldwin. However, last season drafting D.K. Metkalf and finally getting the no.1 receiver, it'll be interesting to see what Wilson can accomplish in 2021. The Seahawks won't have the crowd that they are use to and they play a big part in them winning games. But can Wilson shoulder the load and be the only difference maker   that they need to win?
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Can you do it in one take? This isn't your dad's Buccaneers' team. No sir! Tom Brady at quarterback, Rob Gronkowski is out of retirement and the cameras are flashing down in Florida for this star-studded team. Are the names enough to get them to a championship in year one? Tom Brady is only getting older and that means the window may not be open long for them to hold the Super Bowl trophy up. It'll be interesting to see how far this team can go with little-to-no chemistry. 
31. Tennessee Titans - Are you built to win again? Last season in the playoffs you surprised a lot of people and upset the hottest team in the National Football League (Baltimore Ravens) and now you have to do it again. You lose cornerback, Logan Ryan. However, you sign pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney. You have your offense returning, for the most part, and possibly an improved defense. I believe Tennessee can win the AFC South this season. ... But do they know it? 
32. The Washington Football Team - What do you build on in 2020? This season obviously isn't about making the playoffs, but making a statement. Head coach Ron Rivera is one of the most successful coaches of the past decade and had a great run in Carolina. Washington has little to count on in 2020, but maybe 2021 is the turning point for this organization. Coach Rivera was recently diagnosed with cancer and I wish he and his family the best and a full recovery as they get ready to tackle it head-on. Washington got the best player, in my opinion, with Chase Young in this years draft. This was a strategic move by the coaching staff. Football teams are like homes. You start building from the foundation, at ground level. 

The NFL season officially kicks-off Thursday, September 10, with the a rematch from the playoffs when the Kansas City Chiefs play face-off against the Houston Texans. The game starts at 8:20 pm on NBC.