Cam Newton’s first career to receive TD links New England Patriots with New York Jets

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots played the string against the New York Jets on Sunday, so why not empty their bag of tricks?

Trailing 14-7 at the end of the third quarter on the Jets’ 19-yard line, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels called for cheating. Quarterback Cam Newton surrendered to run Sony Michel out of the gun as Michel came from right to left. At the same time receiver Jakobi Meyers was in motion, coming from left to right and ready for Michel’s lateral.

The Jets chased the ball aggressively and forgot about Newton, who let go of the right side. That allowed Meyers to put his feet on the 30-yard line and give a soft, high-arc touch stride to Newton on the 8-yard line.

Newton basically walked into the end zone from there.

Meyers, of course, was a quarterback at Arabia Mountain High School in Georgia and wore a red shirt in that position at NC State before transitioning to receiver as a freshman. He is 2-for-2 for 43 yards passing this season and although he hasn’t caught a touchdown pass, he’s thrown for two.

Meyers ‘touchdown pass had air distance of 31.3 yards, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, as he has two of the Patriots’ four longest pass plays in terms of airfields this season.

For Newton it is the first touchdown of his career. On Sunday, he entered two career receptions for 43 yards. He had one in Tampa Bay on December 4, 2011, and added a 16-year-old this season.

It is also the first touchdown reception by a Patriots quarterback in team history.

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