I don't know if this is related to the point you make, but it may be.

I've watched the videos lots of times, and I must say that I've never seen AD display less intensity. He just didn't seem to be intent on tearing offenses up through lightning-quick penetration.

AD is not a Suh who can dominate with sheer power. He MUST penetrate to be effective.

And he wasn't getting off the ball with his usual explosiveness. He ended up just letting a lot of plays go.

I am not sure why. The heat? A focus on lane discipline that took him out of his game? Maybe he saw how quickly Newton was releasing and recognized that he couldn't doo much.

I dunno. I want peak AD!