PATRIOTS DEFENSE MAKES IMPRESSIVE SHOWING WITH TWO TURNOVERS
In the preseason opener against Houston, the Patriots showcased their defensive prowess by forcing two turnovers. The first turnover came when Jalen Mills intercepted QB C.J. Stroud, setting up a Patriots first down at the Houston 24-yard line. Later in the game, LB Calvin Munson recovered a fumble at midfield. This performance is consistent with the Patriots’ success in 2022, where they tied with San Francisco for second in the NFL with 30 takeaways. Dallas led the league with 33 takeaways.
YOUNG TALENT SHINES IN NFL DEBUTS
A remarkable eleven out of twelve 2023 NFL Draft picks made their debut in the preseason game, with six of them starting. Notably, first-round pick CB Christian Gonzalez started at cornerback, second-round pick DE Keion White started at defensive end, fourth-round pick OL Sidy Sow started at right tackle, fifth-round pick OL Atonio Mafi started at left guard, and both sixth-round pick WR Kayshon Boutte and WR Demario Douglas started at wide receiver. Although third-round pick LB Marte Mapu did not play, their presence demonstrates the team’s commitment to cultivating young talent.
BAILEY ZAPPE LEADS THE OFFENSE
Quarterback Bailey Zappe made an impressive start for the Patriots, playing the entire first half and the first drive of the second half. Zappe displayed great accuracy, completing 12-of-14 passes for 79 yards, showcasing his potential as a reliable leader on the field. This performance builds on his rookie season in 2022, where he played in four games with two starts.
Another quarterback, Trace McSorley, entered the game in the third quarter and played into the fourth quarter. He made a successful start in a Patriots uniform by completing a 4-yard pass to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
VERSATILE PLAY FROM MALIK CUNNINGHAM
Rookie free agent QB Malik Cunningham showcased his versatility on the field. He began playing at wide receiver in the third quarter before transitioning to quarterback in the fourth quarter. Cunningham demonstrated his potential by completing his first NFL pass to WR Thyrick Pitts for a 3-yard gain. His talents were further highlighted by a 9-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, showcasing his prowess as a dual-threat quarterback. In college, Cunningham had an impressive career, accounting for 120 total touchdowns with 50 rushing touchdowns and 70 touchdown passes.
ANDREW STUEBER MAKES LONG-AWAITED NFL DEBUT
After spending his rookie season on the NFI list, seventh-round draft pick OL Andrew Stueber finally made his NFL debut in the preseason game. Stueber entered the game as a left tackle in the second half, showcasing his determination to contribute to the team’s success.
KICKER NICK FOLK ADDS TO PATRIOTS’ POINTS
Veteran kicker Nick Folk proved his reliability by connecting on a 44-yard field goal in the first quarter. Folk has an impressive streak of 60 consecutive regular season field goals under 40 yards, showcasing his consistency and contributing to the team’s success. The NFL record for consecutive field goals under 40 yards is 70, set by Justin Tucker of Baltimore.
DEPTH AT PUNT RETURNER
The Patriots utilized a rotation of three players at punt returner during the game. Sixth-round draft pick WR Demario Douglas initially lined up to return punts, demonstrating his potential as a versatile player. However, Myles Bryant and fellow sixth-round pick WR Kayshon Boutte also had the opportunity to showcase their skills in this position, adding depth and options to the team’s special teams unit.
ISAIAH BOLDEN IMPRESSES ON KICKOFF RETURNS
DB Isaiah Bolden made a significant impact on kickoff returns in the second half, gaining 26 yards on his first return of the game. Bolden’s success in this role is consistent with his impressive college career at Jackson State, where he led the nation in kickoff return average with 36.5 yards per return in 2021.
TYQUAN THORNTON CONVERTS CRUCIAL THIRD DOWN
Tyquan Thornton played a crucial role in converting a third-and-8 situation with a 27-yard reception from QB Bailey Zappe. This reception demonstrates Thornton’s ability to make impactful plays when it matters most, adding depth and versatility to the Patriots’ receiving corps.
ROOKIE KICKERS SHOW PROMISE
The Patriots’ 2023 rookie kickers, fourth-round pick K Chad Ryan and sixth-round pick P Bryce Baringer, both made their NFL debuts in the preseason game. Ryan displayed his kicking strength by handling kickoffs, with two of his three kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. Meanwhile, Baringer showcased his punting skills with a 62-yard punt in the second quarter, demonstrating his potential as a valuable special teams asset.
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