Newton gave himself a "C" on WEEI's Greg Hill Show the morning after the game so we're not all that far off here. Four of Newton's passes could've pretty easily resulted in interceptions, though, which is what knocks the grade down significantly. Two were thrown to Julian Edelman in the middle of Raiders team meetings. One was picked on a scramble-drill gone wrong. A fourth was a screen pass that was targeted low enough that defensive end Clelin Ferrell nearly snagged it with one hand. (One throw into the end zone to Ryan Izzo that initially looked like a bad idea, though a tight-window attempt, ended up hitting Izzo in the hands. Didn't negatively impact this mark.)
On top of the passes that might've ended up in defenders' hands, there were five more that were inaccurately-placed. One, a screen attempt to J.J. Taylor, might've gone for a touchdown had he led Taylor with the pass -- something Newton had been very adept at doing through most of the first three weeks of the season. Taylor dropped it as it approached his back shoulder. Had Newton, who appeared to have time to get off a better throw, placed it out in front, it might've gone for a touchdown. Incompletions over the middle to Edelman and N'Keal Harry both looked a touch late and/or behind.
Newton made four well-placed passes that gave wideouts opportunities for some yards after the catch and he had a key scramble late for 21 yards. But as a passer, this was easily his rockiest game as Patriots quarterback. Over half his throws (15) were targeted either behind the line of scrimmage or within five yards of the line. He completed just three of nine attempts that traveled 10 or more yards beyond the line.