Cam Newton threw for a touchdown and rushed for two more Sunday evening, and the New England defense shut down rookie quarterback Justin Herbert en route to a 45-0 Patriots win over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
New England (6-6) held Los Angeles to just 105 total offensive yards in the first half to take a commanding 28-0 halftime lead. Newton had TD runs of 1 and 2 yards, and Gunner Olszewski had a 70 yard punt return for another score in the first half. The Chargers (3-9) tried a 58 yard field goal as time was running out in the second quarter, but the kick was blocked by the Patriots Cody Davis and returned 44 yards by Devin McCourty for a touchdown.
The Patriots continued the onslaught in the second half as Newton found N’Keal Harry for a five yard pass and catch, Nick Folk added a 38 yard field goal, and backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham found Olszewski for a 32 yard throw and catch to cap off the scoring. Olszewski had a big game with the first half punt return of 70 yards for a TD, a 61 yard punt return deep into LA territory in the third quarter, and then his second score of the day from Stidham in the fourth quarter.
Newton finished 12-19 passing for 69 yards and a touchdown, and added 14 carries for 48 yards and the two short rushing scores. Damien Harris led the ground game with 16 carries for 80 yards, while Olszewski led the receiving core with the one catch for 38 yards and the fourth quarter TD. Stidham was 2-3 passing for 61 yards and the one TD in limited action. Adrian Phillips had seven total tackles to anchor the defense, while JC Jackson and Chase Winovich each had an interception in the win. Adam Butler, Deatrich Wise, and Lawrence Guy also each added a sack each. Jackson has nine takeaways this season (7 interceptions), the second most by any New England player under coach Bill Belichik. Herbert was 26-53 passing for 209 yards and the two interceptions in the loss. Austin Ekeler had eight carries for 36 yards, and Keenan Allen had five catches for 48 yards. Kenneth Murray had 12 total tackles and a sack for the Los Angeles defense. Newton had at least one rush TD and one passing TD in the same game for the 42nd time in his career, the most by any NFL player since 1950. He also now has 11 rushing scores this season, the third season he has had 10 or more and no other QB has more than one season with that many. The Patriots stay in Los Angeles to face the LA Rams on Thursday night football at SoFi Stadium.
