Cam Newton leads the team to victory in his first game for the New England Patriots. The quarterback and the team seem to have found each other early in the season – also thanks to Newton’s flair.

While the ex-Patriots Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski had to admit defeat in their first game of the season, their old team shows that they can win their games with Cam Newton as well.

Even before the game Newton set the first (fashionable) exclamation mark. On arrival at the stadium he wore a completely yellow suit, which reminds more of a fashion show than the preparation for an NFL game.

Patriots’ QB Cam Newton is ready for Week 1: pic.twitter.com/K1QI6FrK1I

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 13, 2020

While the Patriots under Tom Brady were often considered a stiff and strictly disciplined team, Newton brings a new flair to Gillette Stadium from second one. His game in Carolina, for example, was already living on emotion, which Newton also showed in the game against the Miami Dolphins.

Newton style meets Belichick-Offense
For a long time there was speculation about how quickly Newton would adapt to this offense, which has been well established for years. But it turned out quite differently: It was the offense that adapted to Newton’s playing style. “He ran well with the ball and made great checks and adjustments,” coach Bill Belichick praised him on “ESPN” after the game.

With clever play action moves and run option plays for Newton and his backfield, Belichick and Co. conjured up a great game plan. So it was no surprise that Newton’s first touchdown for New England came after a short run into the end zone.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels worked with many zone-read concepts that promoted Newton’s strengths as a runner. On these plays, the quarterback can decide at short notice whether to pass the ball to his running back or keep the ball himself.

Another touchdown run was to follow in the third quarter, so that Newton ended up with 75 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 14 (!) runs. Newton also made a decent play through the air, getting 155 passing yards at 15 out of 19 attempts. Particularly with perennial Julian Edelman (5 receptions, 57 yards) Newton seems to have found a good connection.

A new fire started?
In general, it seemed as if Netwon’s style was starting a new fire in New England. Some people would call Newton’s style of teasing or celebrating with exuberant gestures after successful plays against the opposing players arrogant.

In the game against the Dolphins, however, this seemed to have been the very key that woke the Patriots up again after the Dolphins’ touchdown to 11:14. In a suddenly tight game, which the Patriots might have lost last season due to lethargy, Newton took the helm with loud commands.

He led the Patriots in the decisive drive in Newtonian style until just before the end zone, while at the same time, in best Belichick manner, he took enough time off the clock to nip a possible catch-up race of the Dolphins in the bud.

In the closing seconds, when there was almost a tussle between Newton and Dolphins tackle Christian Wilkins, the quarterback underlined his newly won calm in New England: “You have to know who you’re messing with. I noticed early on that he was just looking for trouble,” Newton said afterwards.

Newton, the team player
For many, Newton is considered a diva and untrainable, which is often cited as a reason why he was always denied the big shot in the Super Bowl. In his Pats debut, however, he showed leadership – and obedience in the right moments.

Yeah man.. Cam Newton’s really looking like a diva and uncoachable distraction. 🤦🏽‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/6LwRqpyM4x

— Michael Corleone (@tcfromantioch) September 13, 2020

The impression in New England seems to be extremely positive: “He puts everyone else and the team above himself,” Belichick explained after the game. “He has done an outstanding job since he arrived and deserves every respect,” said Belichick.

Within the team, it seems to be right early on – also because of Newton. For example, after his first touchdown, he gave the ball to Center David Andrews so that he could spike the ball into the end zone. The reason: Like Newton, Andrews was missing almost the entire season due to injury. “We were in the same boat,” Newton said after the game.