Newton and several Chiefs contract covid

The New England Patriots finally got caught by covid. While the NFL Players are supposed to be in isolation to avoid getting the virus, Cam Newton somehow caught covid. Newton had been at practice all week, so we have to think about the other personal. Does the NFL cancel and move the chiefs game, do they let them play and cancel and move the Broncos' game, do they move the game to later in the week? All questions that must be asked. 

In a formal statement, the Patriots said the following. "Late last night, we received notice that a Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19. The player immediately entered self-quarantine. Several additional players, coaches and staff who have been in close contact with the player received point of care tests this morning and all were negative for COVID-19."

Keep in mind that there are test that get results back quicker. The President and other world leaders have them and pretty sure the NFL has them with the billions at their disposal. I don't know how accurate these tests are but they give results back in 15 minutes.

The NFL said in a statement earlier today (Saturday),  "positive COVID-19 tests on both teams," and that "Tuesday is more likely" for the game to be played.

According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, "Coach Bill Belichick had previously said that the Patriots, who also have quarterback Jake Dolegala on the practice squad, are fortunate to have good depth at the position."

To be fair to the other quarterbacks on the roster, Cam Newton was not the best  quarterback in camp this August. And there was a large percentage of the fan base that did not expect him to be looking this accurate.  As a passer, Newton has played better than expected.

Hoyer is a capable game manager and as long as defense can slow the chiefs and make a couple of stops, I don't care what any homer says; There is a chance that Hoyer can win. 

As far as Stidham goes, Stidham is a better passer than Hoyer and a win would go a long way to boost his confidence. With the Patriots run game working and James White returning, Stidham could have a better day than Hoyer and walk out with a win.

Now this was a game I believed Newton gave the Patriots a 50% chance of winning. I had only given the Patriots about a 20% chance prior to Newton. The Patriots will need to play a balanced offense but can win, it's just not great odds. 

There are those that have now written this game off. The believe Stidham and Hoyer are bums. Tom Brady, Dak Prescott, even Fitzpatrick and Minshew came from late rounds and have proven people wrong time and time again. They might not all be elite starters but they have shown they can occasionally get the job done.

Marc Bulger, Mark Brunell, Rich Gannon, Brad Johnson, Matt Hasselbeck, Mark Rypien, Joe theismann, Roger Staubach, and Tony Romo, were all also considered bums at one point and I am sure there is others. However, if they weren't given the chance to play, especially in pressure games; we wouldn't know how good they truly were. We also wouldn't know how good wouldn't know how good Brady, Dak, Fitzmagic or Minshew Mania are. 

I am not stupid, I know as a playmaker, Newton athletically gives the Patriots the best chance to win. However, we have not seen what neither Hoyer or Stidham are capable of with the Patriots offense when it matters. 

Now the NFL is considering moving the game to Tuesday night. That could be money for the NFL providing things don't take a turn for the worst, like with Tennessee. As for the game, I had this as a loss especially after the Patriots failed to run away with the Raiders game. So let the backups play and let's see what they got.