Cam Newton vs. Mac Jones Patriots' Week 1 quarterback odds: Neither Bill Belichick nor sportsbooks are sure who starts vs. Dolphins

Every supposed quarterback competition in the NFL has been decided other than with the New England Patriots. Will veteran incumbent Cam Newton start Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins or will it be impressive rookie Mac Jones? Coach Bill Belichick isn't saying at the moment and sportsbooks themselves clearly aren't sure because there are no individual season totals posted yet for Newton or Jones. The Pats are currently -3 over the visiting Dolphins at Caesars Sportsbook.

"For teams with QB competitions no totals have been posted for either player until a starter is announced," a Caesars Sportsbook spokesperson said.

Entering training camp/preseason, Belichick said Newton was his starter, but that Jones would have every opportunity to overtake him – and the former Alabama star might have. Newton did start each preseason game but didn't play very long in them, completing 14-for-21 for 162 yards and a TD. He produced one TD in nine offensive series. Newton also missed five days with the team last week because of a misunderstanding with COVID-19 protocols. Newton has not been vaccinated, so keep that in mind going forward regarding protocols.

Jones, meanwhile, completed 36 of 52 for 389 yards and a TD in the three games (eight of his 10 drives overall ended with points) and was sacked five times – if there has been one criticism so far, it's that Jones is holding the ball too long, but that's normal for a rookie adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses.

After Sunday's game against the Giants, Belichick was asked if he had decided on his starting quarterback and answered, "No. We still have a lot of decisions to make. We'll be focusing on Miami.''

That Newton started each preseason game and saw the only work with the first-team offense in the finale seems a pretty clear sign that he will be the guy Week 1 against Miami. Would Belichick really throw Jones to the wolves against a very good Dolphins defense under the tutelage of head coach and former Pats assistant Brian Flores? Newton was 1-1 vs. Miami last year, completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 364 yards with no TDs or picks. He rushed 24 times for 113 yards and two scores.

Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy wrote Sunday that there's no doubt in his mind that Newton will start Week 1: "(Belichick would) rather stick needles in his eyes than turn to a rookie quarterback. And he absolutely does not want to be embarrassed by a first-round draft pick when Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion Bucs come to Foxboro for the regular-season game of the century Oct. 3."

There are some futures props that bettors can wager on regarding each Patriots quarterback. Newton is +8000 to win NFL MVP and Jones is +25000. Both guys are +20000 to lead the NFL in passing yards. Newton is also +20000 to lead in passing TDs and Jones +25000. To lead the league in interceptions, Newton is +4000 and Jones +3000. Finally, Jones is a +1000 fifth favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Who starts at QB Week 1 for the Patriots?

• Cam Newton -200
• Mac Jones +160

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