NFL fans aren’t strangers to rivalries and contention between players, coaches, analysts and anyone in between. But maybe the most unexpected beef has emerged this week, between New England Patriots‘ quarterback Drake Maye and former NFL QB turned ESPN analyst Cam Newton.
Newton, on ESPN’s “First Take,” called the Patriots “fool’s gold” when asked about whether the AFC now runs through them. He criticized the Pats for having an easy schedule and emphasized that the AFC still belongs to powerhouse QB’s like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
Drake Maye was asked about Newton’s comment on Boston’s local radio station WEEI, and said “I donât even know what show heâs on. I think they get paid to make remarks and make certain comments.”
The controversy sparked outrage in Stephen A. Smith, who proclaimed that Maye was a liar for claiming he didn’t know what show Newton was on.
Pop Douglas Responds To Maye-Newton-Smith Beef
Pats wide receiver Pop Douglas was on WEEI on Friday, Nov. 21, and was asked about the situation.
âThey saying we fake?â Douglas said. âDamn, thatâs how you feel about us? Thatâs crazy.â
âI donât think itâs ever an easy game in the NFL,â Douglas said. âHonestly, a lot of games, despite the scores, [are] close games. Some of the teams that got a bad record [are] losing by one-score games or one point. Itâs all about one little mistake, something like that, how people lose. I donât think we have an easy schedule.â
Both sides have valid arguments. Newton isn’t wrong in saying the Pats have had an easy path so far this season; only three of New England’s nine wins have come against teams that currently have a winning record.
But Douglas isn’t wrong for saying that there’s no easy game in the NFL. There are upsets every week, at least one big underdog seems to win or barely lose each week in the NFL. New England was 4-13 last season, which is a big reason why their schedule is easier this season. If they were still that 4-13 caliber team, they wouldn’t be 9-2 right now, with marquee wins over Josh Allen and the Bills and Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers.
It’s not like the Patriots are just squeaking by bad teams either. In games against bottom-feeders like Cleveland, Tennessee, and New York, New England has sliced through them like a hot knife in butter. Calling them “fool’s gold” would make more sense if they were 7-4 and those wins were narrowly contested.
The Pats have proved, if nothing else, that they can play with anybody in the NFL as seen against Buffalo and Tampa Bay.
New England Welcomes Cincinnati to Gillette Stadium
The Patriots week 12 foe will be the Cincinnati Bengals, who have significantly underperformed this season in the absence of star quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow did return to practice this week however, and reportedly looks to be in great shape.
Burrow vs. Maye would be a marquee matchup that could help Maye’s MVP candidacy even more.
Ja’Marr Chase will miss the game Sunday as he’s serving a one game suspension for spitting on Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey.
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