What We Saw: Week 17

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Jets @ Patriots

In what could very well be the final game for both quarterbacks for their respective teams, Cam Newton and the New England Patriots finished off their season with a 28-14 win over the New York Jets. If this was the final game as a Patriot for Newton he went out with a bang while affecting the game in all facets, even catching a touchdown from Jakobi Meyers on a trick play. While on the other hand, Sam Darnold possibly capped off his Jets tenure with another super performance with two interceptions, leading to the inevitable firing of head coach Adam Gase.

New York Jets

Quarterback

Sam Darnold: 23/34, 266 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 3 sacks | 1 carry, 3 yards

Sam Darnold capped off his season with a game similar to ones that he has had throughout his career. While he was pretty efficient in terms of completion percentage, he made some poor decisions on some throws, with Patriot defenders stepping right in front of the passes for the interceptions and setting up the Patriots with good field position both times. He did cap off one drive with the possible final touchdown pass of his Jets career, a high ball which Chris Herndon jumped up to get. Darnold does still have some promise as a young QB, but plenty of the shine has certainly worn off.

Running Backs

Josh Adams: 11 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD

Ty Johnson: 11 carries, 45 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards

With the loss of leading rusher Frank Gore and rookie running back La’Mical Perine, the Jets had to turn to their next tandem of Josh Adams and Ty Johnson. When given the opportunity, both ran pretty well including a touchdown at the goal line by Adams. Ty Johnson was also pretty impressive in the backfield, taking half the opportunities along with his work in the passing game. It wasn’t a stellar game for either player and it’s pretty clear that neither of them are the answer for the Jets moving forward.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Breshad Perriman: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 84 yards

Chris Herndon: 9 targets, 7 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD

Jamison Crowder: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 31 yards

Braxton Berrios: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 20 yards

Denzel Mims: 2 targets, 1 reception, 15 yards

It only took 17 weeks, but we finally saw the big game that some were waiting for with Chris Herndon. Herndon remained the top target for the Jets offense in this game, evidenced by those red zone looks that included his touchdown reception.

Herndon hangs on. #FantasyFootball | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/95sB2l5zHz

— QB List (@TheQBlist) January 3, 2021

While Jamison Crowder was the target that Darnold trusted in short situations to continue to move drives along, Darnold did take his shots downfield to Breshad Perriman, which while not entirely accurate on those passes, did result in some long gains. Darnold and Perriman were a good combination in 2020 against the Patriots, but the Jets could move on from both in the offseason.

New England Patriots

Quarterback

Cam Newton: 21/30, 242 yards, 3 TDs, 3 sacks | 11 carries, 79 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 19 yards, 1 TD

Cam Newton capped off his Patriots’ tenure with a game to remember contributing in the passing, rushing, and even the receiving game on Sunday. He even caught a trick-play touchdown from Jakobi Meyers in the 3rd quarter to tie the game and give the Patriots some momentum. When he was not taking off with the ball and making plays with his legs, Newton was taking dump-off passes mainly to his running backs but also some receivers. Most of his touchdown passes did come to those backs who took it the remainder of the way for the touchdown.

First Patriots QB to catch a TD pass in team history.⁰⁰@CameronNewton | #GoPats

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/lJwoSjM7KT

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 3, 2021

Running Backs

Sony Michel: 16 carries, 76 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD

James White: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD

Sony Michel made the most of his work on the ground, once again looking very impressive as the lead back in the New England backfield. He even surprised us by being involved in the passing game, catching the first receiving touchdown of his career. On the other hand, James White continued his normal role in the offense, being the passing down guy in the backfield and one that Newton loved to throw too including a touchdown out of the backfield down at the goal-to-go opportunity.

James White from Cam Newton. #FantasyFootball | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/ZePMjvSxHw

— QB List (@TheQBlist) January 3, 2021

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Jakobi Meyers: 7 targets, 6 receptions, 68 yards | 1/1, 19 yards, 1 TD | 1 carry, 7 yards

Devin Asiasi: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD

N’Keal Harry: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 17 yards

Damiere Byrd: 3 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards | 1 carry, 4 yards

There was no pass-catcher who was more involved in the New England passing game than Jakobi Meyers, remaining the most trusted receiver for Newton and even getting opportunities to carry and throw the ball. Newton looked Meyers’ way mainly on third-down conversion attempts and in key situations. While on the other hand, the pass attempts to Damiere Byrd were a bit inaccurate and off-target, keeping both him and N’Keal Harry quiet on the day. Finally, it was nice to see rookie TE Devin Asiasi find the endzone as he broke open over the middle with a great thrown ball in the corner of the endzone.