O-line issues plague Patriots in preseason-opening loss to Texans
The Patriots will open preseason play against the Texans on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots’ offensive-line woes throughout training camp have now carried over into preseason action.
Behind a porous grouping up front, the Patriots were unable to get much going on offense during Thursday’s preseason opener, gaining just 164 net yards of offense in a 20-9 loss to the Texans at Gillette Stadium.
In a somewhat surprising move, Bailey Zappe played all the way into the third quarter as New England’s quarterback. But aside from a 27-yard pickup from Tyquan Thornton on a leaping snag, Zappe only gained another 52 yards passing yards despite connecting on 12 of his 14 pass attempts.
Malik Cunningham was a breath of fresh air on offense after replacing Trace McSorley at QB in the fourth quarter.
The former Louisville standout signal caller led New England on one of its few promising drives of the night — culminating in a nine-yard rushing touchdown.
Cunningham completed 3-of-4 passing attempts for 19 yards, but gained another 34 yards on five rushing attempts, including his touchdown. However, Cunningham’s late-game heroics were too little, too late.
Houston finished Thursday’s game with 3.0 sacks, four quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss against the Patriots.
Along with Cunningham’s late play, there was more optimism found on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the opening quarter.
On a night where a number of expected starters did not suit up for New England, rookies like Keion White stepped up in the first half.
The 2023 second-round pick was a menace whenever he was lined up in New England’s defense on Thursday, recording three total tackles and a quarterback hit.
White helped force one of New England’s two turnovers — obliterating Houston RB Dare Ogunbowale after he fumbled a ball and allowing Calvin Munson to scoop it up.
White, Daniel Ekuale, Anfernee Jennings and New England’s pass rush made life miserable for Houston QB C.J. Stroud in his first two drives of the night. Veteran safety Jalen Mills also impressed in his limited reps, picking off the former Ohio State QB while also recording a tackle for loss.
The Patriots will continue their preseason schedule with a road game against the Packers on Saturday, Aug. 19. Kick-off from Lambeau Field is set for 8:00 p.m.
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Follow along here for live updates from Thursday’s preseason opener in Foxborough.
LIVE UPDATES
9:48: FINAL: Patriots lose, 20-9.
Cunningham impresses, but too little too late for the Patriots.
9:40: Cunningham has been fun to watch. He runs it in nine yards for the touchdown. 20-9 Texans with 1:54 left.
9:32: Other than Cunningham nearly getting his head ripped off with that facemask, this game has suddenly become a lot more fun with Cunningham in at QB.
9:24: Malik Cunningham now in at quarterback.
9:20: Keenum does it again, hitting Alex Bachman for a 5-yard touchdown.
Houston leads New England, 20-3, with 9:52 left in the game.
9:10: Houston leads New England, 13-3, after three quarters. All backups and third-string options at this point.
9:09: Yet another sack for the Texans — this one from former Patriot Chase Winovich.
9:06: Kayshon Boutte getting some reps as a punt returner.
9:01: Not a great sequence from LB Diego Fagot — who goes into the neutral zone on 4th and 1 for a neutral zone infraction.
8:57: McSorely gains some yardage on a keeper, but New England still really can’t get much going.
8:52: Trace McSorley in at QB.
8:47: Case Keenum, QB journeyman extraordinaire, leads to the Texans on another scoring drive. Old friend Dalton Keene carries it into the end zone.
Missed extra point for the Texans.
Houston leads New England, 13-3, with 7:20 left in the third quarter.
8:40: Patriots go for it on a 4th-and-1, but Kevin Harris can’t convert. Gaining offense has been a slog for New England.
8:37: Now Kody Russey is down for New England. He eventually heads into the blue medical tent.
8:34: Bailey Zappe back at QB to start the second half.
8:20: Halftime: Houston with a 7-3 lead.
New England averaging 3.5 yards per play so far tonight.
8:17: Tank Dell has been a menace tonight for Houston. He catches a bobbled ball in the end zone for a touchdown. 7-3 Houston.
8:13: One surprise? A very quiet night from Demario Douglas:
8:12: Make that three straight 3-and-outs from the offense. O-line play has been porous.
8:06: Another sack against Zappe – third against him tonight. Surprised a bit that Zappe is still in the game, but not surprised that this thin O-line is struggling. It’s been pretty ugly.
8:03: Davis is walking off the field on his own power, but very slowly. Trainers were looking at his leg, it seemed.
8:02: Carl Davis is down.
8:00: Looks like Christian Gonzalez’s night is done. Isaiah Bolden is taking his spot at corner.
7:59: Really poor blocking for New England so far. Really get much on the ground — and Zappe not given plenty of time to throw.
7:57: Did not take White a long time to get in the backfield.
7:52: What a debut from Keion White.
Two impact plays on back-to-back plays — including a dive towards a fumbled ball that results in a turnover. He’s been everywhere tonight.
7:48: Bryce Baringer shanks the punt. But it still rolls for 56 yards.
7:46: Pierre Strong getting a lot of run in the early going of this one. Patriots looking at internal options behind Rhamodre Stevenson on the depth chart.
7:41: Looks like Bailey Zappe will get to start another drive here in the second quarter.
7:38: 3-0 New England at the end of the first quarter.
Zappe was 6-for-7 in the first with 53 yards.
7:35: Really strong start for Jalen Mills. Along with his interception, he records a tackle for loss by blowing through a block. Anfernee Jennings has also brought the pressure.
7:34: Looks like C.J. Stroud’s night is over after two series. Ekuale and Keion White made life miserable for him.
7:31: Really not a great start from Conor McDermott at LT. O-line play has been shaky for both teams to start.
7:29: Here’s a replay of Thornton’s catch:
7:28: Great to see Tyquan Thornton get going. 27 yard pickup on a leaping grab from Zappe. Need to get him going.
7:21: Really strong start from Keion White. Plenty of pressure on just about every rep. Already two pressures (one hit) and a tackle on third down over Houston’s first two drives.
7:20: Not sure what exactly Ekuale is supposed to dot here — but he’s called for roughing the passer against Stroud.
7:14: Not necessarily a great start from New England’s offense, but they get points off of Mills’ pick.
7:13: Nick Folk’s 44-yard kick is good.
3-0 Patriots with 9:43 left in the first.
7:11: C.J. Stroud and Christian Gonzalez both with “Welcome to the NFL” moments just minutes apart. Great read by Jalen Mills, who picks off the pass and brings the ball to Houston’s 24-yard line.
Encouraging start from Mills, who likely will slot back at safety this season.
7:09: Daniel Ekuale with a 15-yard sack on CJ Stroud. Nice play by the vet.
7:08: Defensive starters:
7:08: Nico Collins just knocked Christian Gonzalez a few yards back on the first play. Welcome to full-contact.
7:07: Christian Gonzalez and Jack Jones are New England’s starting corners on the outside.
7:06: Chad Ryland gets the opening kickoff for New England. Touchback.
7:02: Texans win the coin toss. They elect to receive.
6:58: Here come the Patriots.
6:52: 74 degrees here at Gillette with a light rain. Still seems like we’re avoiding the heavy downpour.
6:50: New England doing a pregame ceremony for the New England Free Jacks and Boston Renegades.
6:34: Based on warmups, this looks like New England’s starting O-line tonight:
LT – Conor McDermott
LG – Atonio Mafi
C – James Ferentz
RG – Kody Russey
RT – Sidy Sow
6:31: Quite a few players still on the field, but also a good number of players not accounted.
6:28: Needs to be a big night for Tyquan Thornton. He’s in danger of being leapfrogged by other wideouts like Boutte on the depth chart.
6:22: Rookie standout Marte Mapu is indeed out on the field in a regular jersey. We’ll see if he finally gets some game action.
6:18: Demario Douglas among the many players taking part in punt returns tonight. Should be a busy night for the sixth-round rookie.
6:13: Mac Jones is on the field in his full jersey, for those taking #attendance with these sorts of things.
6:10: If Mac Jones is not playing tonight, it sure feels like Bailey Zappe will get the first few drives tonight against Houston.
5:55: Sure looks like we’re going to have a battle among special-teams squads tonight.
5:50: This is a risky move by the videoboard team, methinks.
5:40: Looks like both Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton were getting plenty of reps on the field. Will be interesting to see if they get a lot of run tonight.
5:34: Mac Jones – big Swiftie, apparently.
5:30: Doesn’t seem like Mac Jones was throwing during early drills. Zappe, McSorley and Cunningham all were.
5:13: Patriots are out here stretching on the field with a pretty full squad. Again, don’t expect a number of starters to actually play tonight.
5:02: Rookie numbers are in. Have to say, I’m bummed that Christian Gonzalez didn’t go with No. 0.
4:50: Looks like Marte Mapu could be cleared tonight. He’s been wearing a red, non-contact jersey throughout camp.
4:45: Will be interesting to see if Malik Cunningham gets some reps at QB tonight. He’s been converted into a WR, but the former Louisville signal caller has seen plenty of snaps under center over the last few practices.
Here’s five things to know about Cunningham.
4:24: Those end-zone renovations are … notable.
4:10 p.m.: Greetings here from Gillette Stadium. A muggy evening here in Foxborough, but it looks like we’re going to miss some of the heavier rain in the next few hours.
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