It was the right call to run Cam Newton, but not whatever that play was

We all knew Cam Newton was going to run to win the game, but what the hell?

Cam Newton had earned the right to win the game with his legs, but my god, that was so bad.

The New England Patriots were goal to go on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. Seattle held a late five-point lead on New England. With a last-minute trip to the red zone, Newton and the Patriots were thinking game-winning pay dirt. While it was the right call to run Newton in that situation, we simply hated the play call from offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

It was going to be a run, but there was no space for Cam Newton to run to.

Once Newton threw it too hard past wide receiver Julian Edelman, who had a career-day by the way in terms of yardage, we knew Bill Belichick was going to let his new starting quarterback win the game with his legs. This was a decision we were all totally on board with, as it would have infuriated us to see Newton howitzer the ball past Edelman’s outstretched arms yet again.

The problem with the decision for him to run it was entirely based on play design. New England went with a no receiver look and no means to spread the football out at all. This allowed the Seahawks defense to bum rush the line of scrimmage and tackle Newton before he went Superman Cam about a yard and a half shy of the goal line. It was a tactless final play, sadly.

If McDaniels is as smart of an offensive mind as we say he is, the Patriots would have gone with a one or two-receiver look with a naked bootleg built into it. Allowing Newton to run outside of the tackles would have been the best option for success here, as the Patriots weren’t inches away from pay dirt. A potential outlet pass option would have served Newton here more than anything.

Truthfully, the Patriots were playing with house money in this one. They weren’t expected to win up in Seattle in primetime anyway. It took a five-touchdown performance out of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to beat Newton and the Patriots. Unfortunately, we were denied Newton’s first signature moment as a Patriot because of an antiquated, machismo play call.

The world deserved game-winning Superman Cam, but McDaniels only gave us sullen emptiness.