Cam Newton once again was the story of the game for the Patriots, but not in a good way.
With the Patriots in prime position to tie the game with a field goal or win the game with a touchdown, Newton fumbled in the red zone with less than a minute remaining to allow the Bills to escape with a 24-21 win.
It was the Patriots' fourth straight loss.
“It’s unacceptable. I have to protect the ball better," he said.
Newton added: “I just have to protect the ball better. Keep it high and tight."
The Patriots quarterback finished 15-for-25 passing for 174 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions, while adding 54 yards and a touchdown rushing.
Newton was asked if the fumble affects him more because the team had a chance to win the game.
"It affects me more that I still am jeopardizing this team's success because of my lackluster performance protecting the football," he said. "Coach trusts me with the ball in my hands, and I wouldn’t want it any other way, I just have to do a better job protecting it.”
Bill Belichick said Newton will remain the Patriots' starting quarterback.
In his last 14 games as a starter, he is 2-12 with 11 passing touchdowns, 17 interceptions and 20 total turnovers. He knows he and the team need to turn things around in a hurry.
“It’s extremely frustrating, but this league is not what have you done before, it’s what have you done for me lately," Newton said. "I understand that this is a production-based league. Coach preaches each and every day to protect the football, play smart football and I am converting to it. Outside of this last play, I think that is what makes it that much [more] frustrating being that you are trying extremely hard, but at the end of the day, when you don’t get the results that you want, then what do you do?
"We just have to focus in, come back in to practice and just have our best week yet and keep building from what we have.”
The Patriots will take on the Jets next Monday night.
