{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"index":"","title":"The Longest Yard","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/21/Newton_Cam_USATSI_14960087.jpg","caption":"

Maybe you were one of the Patriots fans criticizing Josh McDaniels for that final play call, when Cam Newton couldn't punch it in from the 1-yard line for the go-ahead touchdown.

But did you know that a Newton run from the 1 was about as sure a play call that's in the playbook? According to ESPN Stats & Info, Newton had converted on 16 of 20 rushes from the 1-yard line before getting tackled as time expired.

The one-yard loss was also his first carry from inside the 5-yard line that didn't go for either a touchdown or first down this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo"},{"index":"1","title":"Aerial Attack","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/21/Newton_C_USATSI_14959594.jpg","caption":"

Newton's 397 passing yards weren't just the third-highest total of his NFL career -- trailing only a pair of 400-yard performances in his first two career games back in 2011 -- they were also the most for a Patriots QB since Tom Brady threw for 505 yards in Super Bowl LII.

And when you factor in his team-high 47 rushing yards, Newton is the third player in NFL history to throw for 350-plus yards, rush for over 40 yards and have at least two rushing TDs in a game, joining Bobby Layne in 1950 and Russell Wilson in 2019. All three put up those stat lines in losses, however.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo"},{"index":2,"title":"You Da Edel-man","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/21/Newton_C_Edelman_J_GettyImages_1273776964_0.jpg","caption":"

Almost half of Newton's passing total went to Julian Edelman, who racked up eight receptions for a career-high 179 yards against the Seahawks.

Edelman's longest reception of the game went for 49 yards, his longest reception by air yardage (45 yards) since 2017, according to Next Gen Stats.

Edelman wasn't the only Patriot WR with a career game. N'Keal Harry set career highs in both receptions and receiving yards -- and Damiere Byrd's 72 yards were the third-highest total of his career.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo"},{"index":3,"title":"Gimme Five","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Wilson_Russell_USATSI_14959543.jpg","caption":"

It's only two games, but Russell Wilson is making his MVP case early.

The Seahawks QB had only seven incompletions to go along with his five touchdown passes to five different receivers, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to complete over 80 percent of his passes and throw for at least nine touchdowns over the first two games of a season.

Wilson also became just the second QB to throw for five touchdowns in a game against a Bill Belichick team, joining Drew Brees, who accomplished the feat in 2009.

"},{"index":4,"title":"Far and Wide(out)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/21/Metcalf_DK_Gilmore_S_USATSI_14959561.jpg","caption":"

As mentioned above, Wilson spread the ball around -- but aside from his final touchdown pass of the game to Chris Carson, his other four scoring strikes went to wide receivers: Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, David Moore, and Freddie Swain.

Last season, in 16 games, the Patriots allowed a TOTAL of four touchdown passes to wide receivers.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo"},{"index":5,"title":"Going Streaking","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/21/McCourty_D_GettyImages_1177536877.jpg","caption":"

Wilson actually threw six touchdown passes in the game -- but one went to Devin McCourty, whose 43-yard runback of an interception opened the scoring in the first quarter.

With the pick, McCourty extended his streak of seasons with at least one interception to 11. He's had at least one interception in every one of his seasons since his rookie year of 2010.

"}]}

Cam Newton, Julian Edelman, Russell Wilson post surprising stats in Week 2 thriller