LA Rams News: The Rams may benefit from the NE Patriots signing of Cam Newton in 2020
The LA Rams, along with the NFC West, faces teams from the AFC East in 2020. So anything that impacts the New England Patriots will affect NFC West teams this season. While that means that the LA Rams will likely face QB Cam Newton in 2020, it also means that the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Arizona Cardinals will also face the Patriots led by newly signed Cam Newton as well.
The Patriots are scheduled to travel to face the Seattle Seahawks on September 20 at 5:20 pm PT, to host the San Francisco 49ers on October 25 at 4:25 pm ET, to host the Arizona Cardinals on November 29 at 1:00 pm ET, and to travel to face the Los Angeles Rams on December 10 at 5:20 pm PT. Does Cam Newton make the Patriots a more dangerous team?
Cam New Ton Patriots will be dangerous
Right now, analysts are working around the clock, trying to determine exactly how the New England Patriots offense will adapt the talents of Cam Newton to their play calling. However that turns out, the consensus is already swinging away from the Buffalo Bills domination of the AFC East towards another playoff run by the indomitable New England Patriots.
How can Cam Newton excel in the #Patriots Offense?
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) June 29, 2020
Since 2016, Newton has been most efficient as a passer on attempts "in rhythm" (2.5 to 4 seconds) and has struggled on extended plays (4+ seconds).
In Rhythm [2.5 to 4 sec]
➤ +0.18 EPA/Play
Extended [4+ sec]
➤ -0.14 EPA/Play pic.twitter.com/r2GgrUpIlu
Now about benefitting the LA Rams. How’s that again?
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Dangerous early, predictable later
The schedule was decidedly unfavorable for the LA Rams prior to the New England Patriots signing of veteran QB Cam Newton. Now? The tables have turned. The Seahawks hosting the Patriots on September 20 was a locked-up victory if Jarrett Stidham was the starting quarterback. So too was the road game for the 49ers to face the Patriots on October 25 with Stidham under center. Now with Cam Newton? Who can predict what the Patriots offense will look like, or be capable of? As such, both the Seahawks and 49ers will be forced towards a vanilla defense with some wrinkles.
Defenses will only begin to catch up to the Patriots offensive tendencies by November, about the time that the overmatched Cardinals travel to a cold Patriots home field to face the Patriots at the onset of cold temperatures and snow season in New England. The LA Rams, comfortable in December warmth in California, host the now-familiar Patriots in December. With this new development, the Rams may emerge as the only team from the NFC West to claim a win from the suddenly competitive New England Patriots.