7 takeaways from the Patriots’ preseason loss to the Titans
The Patriots gained just 79 total yards of offense Friday night.
The Patriots closed out their preseason slate with a 23-7 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Friday night at Nissan Stadium.
On a night where Bill Belichick and New England’s coaching staff dipped deep into the team’s depth chart while resting various starters, offensive line woes and lackluster quarterback play once again thwarted any hope of sustained offensive execution.
However, a few roster-bubble players on the other side of the ball did stand out.
Here are a few observations from Friday’s loss.
1. Mac Jones and multiple starters sit out preseason finale
Over the last few seasons, the third and final preseason game usually stands as a team’s primary “dress rehearsal” before regular-season play commences. Such wasn’t the case for the Patriots on Friday night.
After running through three total series against the Packers last week, Mac Jones’ preseason reps are over, with New England opting to keep their QB1 in bubble wrap until the regular season begins on Sept. 10 against the Eagles.
A porous offensive line likely played in the decision to sit out Jones, who took two heavy hits in Green Bay.
Keeping Jones healthy makes plenty of sense given the personnel in front of him this preseason. But Belichick opted to rest many other featured players on both sides of the ball, as seen by the team’s starters against Tennessee.
Along with other expected starters like Matt Judon, DeVante Parker, Ezekiel Elliott, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Rhamondre Stevenson sitting out Friday’s game, New England had multiple players not in uniform.
Isaiah Bolden, Tyquan Thornton, Ty Montgomery, Matthew Slater, Jonathan Jones, Chris Board, Kody Russey, Atonio Mafi, Cole Strange, Mike Onwenu, Conor McDermott, Demario Douglas, Hunter Henry, and Mike Gesicki did not suit up, most due to injury.
2. Bailey Zappe struggles
With Jones sitting out on Friday, most of the snaps went to New England’s expected backup in Bailey Zappe.
The results were far from ideal.
He wasn’t helped by the offensive-line grouping in front of him, but it was an all-around ugly showing from Zappe, who regularly earned an earful from Bill O’Brien along the sidelines.
Zappe finished the game just 8-for-15 for 57 yards, zero touchdowns and three fumbles.
With New England’s offensive line in shambles and Zappe struggling to execute, the Patriots only gained 79 total yards on offense.
3. More concern for the offensive line
Those hoping for some positive gains by a lackluster offensive line in New England’s final preseason game are going to be disappointed.
Granted, when New England rolled out a starting O-line featuring Andrew Stueber (LT), Chasen Hines (LG), Jake Andrews (C), Reilly Reiff (RG) and Sidy Sow (RT), expectations weren’t exactly sky-high on Friday.
As such, Friday’s pass protection was more of the same for New England, with Tennessee finishing with 6.0 sacks, five tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Stueber had a rough night, giving up a strip sack for the second straight game.
To make matters worse, Reiff exited Friday’s game after getting his leg rolled by his teammate, Sow.
Reiff’s promising play so far at right guard this preseason opened the door for New England to potentially keep him at that spot and slot Mike Onwenu over at right tackle to solidify things on the starting unit, but that plan could be in jeopardy now.
There were a few positives to draw from Friday, mostly in the form of Chasen Hines — who bulldozed a few Titans and cleared a path for Kevin Harris on his touchdown score in the first half.
But still, New England currently has seven offensive linemen out of a group of 16 that are dealing with injuries in Onwenu, Cole Strange, Calvin Anderson, Conor McDermott, Kody Russey, Atonio Mafi and now Reiff.
Not good.
4. Bubble players on defense make strong cases
Even with several defensive starters spending the whole night on the sideline, New England’s front-seven unit made things miserable for the Titans over their first few series.
During Tennessee’s first three drives on Friday, Mike Vrabel’s club gained -1 rushing yards over eight carries. A lot of that run-stuffing duties fell on depth players who are looking to solidify their spots on the 53-man roster.
Linebacker Calvin Munson was all over the field. The 28-year-old pro out of San Diego State picked off Tennessee QB Malik Willis while also recording 10 tackles — one of which went for a four-yard loss — and batting down a pass.
Ronnie Perkins (nine tackles, one QB hit) also made his presence felt, while second-year defensive lineman Sam Roberts atoned for an undisciplined showing against the Packers by recording a sack, three QB hits and two tackles for loss.
5. Seems like punter gig is Baringer’s to lose
Rookie punter Bryce Baringer has had up-and-down performances so far during practices this summer. But preseason action has been another story. After totaling 120 yards off of two punts last week against Green Bay, Baringer booted a ball 69 yards against Tennessee.
He should be the favorite for New England’s punting spot over veteran Corliss Waitman.
As for the ongoing battle between rookie Chad Ryland and veteran incumbent Nick Folk, Ryland was given the opening kick-off, but there was little to glean from Friday’s preseason game with Folk not getting any reps.
Ultimately, the Patriots will need to prioritize either potential (and kicking power) in Ryland, or consistency with Folk.
6. Malik Cunningham’s role remains unclear
The fate of Malik Cunningham remains one of the more intriguing storylines over these final days of preseason action.
After his sterling debut against the Texans under center, Cunningham was primarily utilized as a wideout last week against Green Bay with little to show for in terms of production (zero catches on five targets).
On Friday, Cunningham was once again utilized all over the field, including a few snaps back at quarterback.
Still, given how raw he is a wideout (and given the fact that New England might carry six receivers on the roster), the Patriots might be hard-pressed to relinquish a roster spot for a player who is best utilized as more of a gadget QB.
They can try to sneak him on the practice squad, although multiple teams might be interested in adding Cunningham’s skillset on their roster.
7. Odds and Ends
Jack Jones saw plenty of reps on Friday, despite spending a good chunk of camp and preseason action as one of New England’s top corners.
The results against the Titans were not impressive. Despite a few impressive stops against the run, the second-year corner was also knocked for a 32-yard DPI on an under-thrown ball and was burned on another 30-yard reception.
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Rookie Marte Mapu made his preseason debut on Friday after missing the first two preseason games while recovering from offseason surgery on a torn pectoral muscle. He saw time both at linebacker and at safety, displaying the same sound coverage instincts that allowed him to pop during minicamp.
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He didn’t play on Friday, but it was good to see rookie Christian Gonzalez take part in warmups without any restrictions. He came up limp and left Wednesday’s practice early after coming down awkwardly on his foot.
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Linebacker Joe Giles-Harris also recorded an interception in the third quarter, with Justus Tavai appearing to tip the pass from Willis.
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Kayshon Boutte saw very limited snaps in the opening minutes of the first quarter. Sure seems like a good sign that the rookie wideout has a spot on the 53-man roster.
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Good to see Ronnie Perkins leave it all out there on the field on Friday … literally.
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With preseason action now over, the work begins for New England’s personnel staff as the team starts to cut its way down to a 53-man roster.
LIVE UPDATES:
11:00: Patriots lose 23-7. The preseason is over.
10:54: Malik Cunningham in at QB once again.
10:45: Bailey Zappe has now fumbled the ball three times tonight.
10:40: Cam Achord is NOT thrilled at J.J. Taylor for fielding that punt.
10:37: More of what you want to see from Pierre Strong.
10:31: Make that another turnover from Zappe, who hasn’t been helped with this O-line in front of him.
10:30: Catch alert for Cunningham!
10:28: Seems like the Patriots want to ride this game out with Zappe. No Cunningham at this point in the fourth quarter.
10:25: Titans build their lead to 20-7. Willis hits Jackson for 26 yards.
10:12: Not the best showing from Bailey Zappe, who is getting an earful from Bill O’Brien. He’s 6-for-13.
10:07: Joe Giles-Harris has New England’s second pick of the evening. Looks like Justus Tavai tipped that pass from Willis.
10:06: Ronnie Parkins continues to stand out.
9:52: Here comes Malik Cunningham at QB. He gets two total snaps before they go back to Zappe.
9:50: Interesting wrinkle here – as Bailey Zappe gets the ball again to start the second half.
9:36: Halftime: Titans lead the Patriots, 13-7.
9:33: New England’s defense can’t close out the first half with a stop. Rough showing from Diego Fagot on that whole sequence.
13-7 Titans.
9:29: Ronnie Perkins – football guy. Still makes the tackle.
9:25: Really up-and-down game from Jack Jones tonight.
9:20: Bryce Baringer just BOOMED a 69-yard punt. As you were.
9:13: Trace McSorley enters the game at QB.
It doesn’t lead to a promising drive, with the Patriots going to the depths of their depth chart at OL and WR.
9:11: Sam Roberts is having a nice game, especially in wake of last week’s rough showing in Green Bay.
9:07: Reiff is heading to the locker room. His night is probably done.
9:01: Kevin Harris runs it in for a touchdown. Thyrick Pitts with a nice gain and fight for extra yardage to set that play up.
7-6 Patriots.
8:59: And now Reiff is banged up. Not good for a guy who was looking to secure that right guard spot. He heads to the tent.
8:55: End First: Titans lead, 6-0.
8:53: Calvin Munson has had a strong night so far. He reels in the interception for the turnover. Fighting for a roster spot at linebacker.
8:48: Really rough showing from Stueber so far.
8:40: JJ Taylor continues to make plays. 27-yard pickup.
8:36: Stueber and Hines both beat — leading to a strip-sack against Zappe.
Patriots defense stands tall, but another field goal makes it 6-0 Titans.
8:30: Titans convert on a 44-yard field goal. 3-0 Titans.
8:28: Nice start for rookie punter.
8:27: Not a good look from Jack Jones, who’s whistled for a 32-yard DPI on an under-thrown ball. That being said he’s got some good plays against the run.
8:22: Malik Cunningham lining up at WR. Kayson Boutte is also playing tonight.
8:20: Bailey Zappe is your starting QB tonight.
8:17: Other notable starters on defense include: Christian Barmore, Josh Uche, Jack Jones
8:17: Marte Mapu is indeed making his preseason debut. He’s starting at safety.
8:15: Patriots win the toss and defer. Chad Ryland gets the opening kick-off.
8:10: Getting closer to kick-off:
8:02: One thing to look forward to — Marte Mapu’s debut.
7:55: Here is New England’s expected O-line starters: LT – Stueber LG – Hines C – J. Andrews RG – Reiff RT – Sow
Reiff continues to see reps at right guard.
7:44: A look at some of the inactives for the Patriots tonight. Other players could also not play, but will be in uniform.
7:27: A number of Patriots starters aren’t expected to play tonight. But what about Ezekiel Elliott? Could be a good opportunity to shake some rust off.
7:25: Unlike the mild temps in Boston this week, Nashville is hovering just under 100 degrees this evening. Doesn’t seem to bother Mike Vrabel.
7:24: Some good news for Christian Gonzalez, who left Wednesday’s practice early after landing awkwardly on his ankle.
7:16: Warmups are underway in Nashville:
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