After playing what could be his final game with the Patriots, Cam Newton reflects on what he learned playing for a new organization this season.
That's a wrap on the Patriots' 2020 season.
New England's first losing season in 20 years ended with a victory, with the Pats beating the Jets 28-14 at Gillette Stadium to put the finishing touches on a 7-9 campaign.
Already eliminated from playoff contention and locked into third place in the AFC East, the only thing that could really change for the Patriots Sunday was their position in the 2021 NFL Draft -- but the Pats weren't able to move up toward the Top 10.
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For an offense that had only scored one touchdown over the past three games, Cam Newton had his most productive day as a passer in a Patriot uniform. Newton -- who hadn't even thrown two touchdowns in a game this season -- threw for 242 yards and three scores and added a 19-yard TD reception from Jakobi Meyers on a trick play in the third quarter.
Newton breaks Patriots team record that stood for 40+ years
Newton wasn't the only Patriot to end a disappointing campaign on a positive note. Rookie tight end Devin Asiasi, who hadn't caught a single pass all season, finished with a pair of receptions including his first career score -- a go-ahead 26-yard score in the fourth quarter.
On defense, J.C. Jackson put a ribbon on his stellar season with his ninth interception of the season, tying Ty Law (9 in 1998) for the third-highest total in team history, trailing Ron Hall (11 in 1964) and Asante Samuel (10 in 2006)
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Here's how it all went down:
FINAL SCORE: Patriots 28, Jets 14
PATRIOTS RECORD: 7-9
HIGHLIGHTS
The Patriots started strong, capping a 7-play, 84-yard drive with a 7-yard TD pass from Cam Newton to James White.
The Jets would tie it up on a TD pass from Sam Darnold to Chris Herndon, and would then take the lead after halftime on a 1-yard plunge from Josh Adams.
Why not open up the playbook and have some fun in the last game of the season? When Newton caught this 19-yard TD toss from Jakobi Meyers, he became the first QB in team history to catch a touchdown pass.
After racking up eight interceptions in his first two seasons combined, J.C. Jackson finishes his third season with nine interceptions, second-most in the NFL behind Miami's Xavien Howard.
Tight end was a vast wasteland for the Patriots in 2020, but Devin Asiasi shows off why the Patriots drafted him in Round 3 with a go-ahead 26-yard touchdown in the fourth.
Between the regular season and playoffs, Sony Michel had 20 rushing touchdowns in his NFL career, but hadn't caught a touchdown pass until this play that capped the scoring with about 12 minutes left
Jonathan Jones seals the victory with this interception of Sam Darnold in the end zone.
UP NEXT
April 29-May 1: 2021 NFL Draft