5 takeaways from the Patriots’ preseason win against the Vikings
Efton Chism shined again, the return game looked strong, and a pair of veterans fought for their spots.
The Patriots prospered during a 20-12 preseason win over the Vikings in Minnesota.
New England improved to 2-0 in preseason action with the win, with one contest against the Giants left before the regular-season opener.
Rookies Efton Chism and TreVeyon Henderson were impressive again, boosting the offense.
Two Patriots veterans got a bunch of playing time in the second half. Anfernee Jennings powered the pass-rush with three sacks. Kyle Dugger made some big hits, but he remained out there late in the fourth quarter, which may be a troubling sign for his roster status.
The Patriots handled their business on special teams yet again with a pair of big returns.
Here are five takeaways from the action, as well as everything that happened in Sunday’s game.
Efton Chism continues to impress
Undrafted rookie Efton Chism led the Patriots in receiving for the second straight game, with seven catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.
His performance left broadcasters Soctt Zolak and Devin McCourty convinced that he had done enough to make New England’s 53-man roster with cutdown day just 10 days away.
Chism sliced through for an open catch on an underneath route, but several Vikings defenders quickly converged on him. He danced past one, sidestepped two more, and ran through contact at the endzone, falling in for a touchdown.
He also got wide open on a 33-yarder from Josh Dobbs. At one point, he converted three third-downs on one drive. The rookie was making plays all over the field and helped his case to stay alive in the race for a roster spot amongst a crowded receiver room.
Anfernee Jennings sends a message
There was some concern about Anfernee Jennings’s role last week, when he was playing deep into the second half in the preseason-opening win against the Commanders, which is typically not a good sign for a veteran trying to make a roster.
Jennings played deep into the third quarter again this week, but this time he imposed his will on Minnesota, racking up three sacks in the second half.
He wreaked havoc off the edge, tripping up Minnesota Max Brosmer for a sack and wrapping him up from behind on back-to-back plays.
Jennings’ strength is setting the edge in the run game. He posted a career-high 78 tackles last season. Showing that he can rush the passer effectively could be important as he continues to adapt to a linebacker room that has many new faces, most of whom are familiar with Mike Vrabel from their time in Tennessee.
TreVeyon Henderson scores again
Henderson, who opened last week’s preseason opener with a 100-yard kick return, turned in another strong performance this week.
He wasn’t out there long, as the second-round pick has consistently gotten reps with the first-stringers and projects to be one of New England’s top big-play threats.
But his time on the field was impactful. He scored New England’s first touchdown, running hard and bouncing off would-be tacklers on an 8-yard run.
Henderson averaged five yards per carry behind an offensive line that has experienced some shuffling this week. Ben Brown got the start at left guard, with rookie Jared Wilson working with the second team. Marcus Bryant started at right tackle in place of Morgan Moses.
Safety Shakeup
Rookie Craig Woodson got the start at safety, with Kyle Dugger working with the second stringers as he had been in practice.
But Dugger had several big hits during his time on the field. Coach Mike Vrabel preached taking advantage of the reps that are available to players. Dugger made four tackles, second on the team behind rookie Kobe Minor, who had six.
Dugger, who is used to being a starter, had no hesitation in delivering some crushing hits while he was out there with the backups.
But he was in the game with a minute left in the fourth quarter, which isn’t typical for starter-level players.
Cornerback Alex Austin had an interception, thanks to the Patriots’ pass-rush pressuring Sam Howell into a bad throw.
Return game shines
For the second-straight week, the Patriots got big plays out of their return game.
Marcus Jones had only the punter to beat on a return that wound up going 37 yards. Devin McCourty joked that he’ll be “all over” Jones for not making a better move to shake past the punter. Still, the speed and overall gain on the play were impressive.
The Patriots almost broke a big kickoff return in the closing seconds of the second quarter when Jeremiah Webb made a couple of jukes and found some daylight running towards the sideline. He was eventually caught, but the return went for 60 yards and set the Patriots up nicely for the following drive.
Add in Henderson’s kick return touchdown from last week, and it’s been a really solid preseason for the Patriots’ returners so far.
Here’s everything that happened in Saturday’s game.
Live Updates
3:40: Patriots and Vikings trade field-goals, making it 20-12 in favor of the Patriots.
3:26: Make it three sacks for Jennings, who has been a standout in this game.
3:07: Anfernee Jennings gets back-to-back sacks. The veteran has found himself playing deep into the third quarter, but has found a way to make an impact getting after the quarterback.
2:55: Ben Wooldrige takes over for Josh Dobbs, who went 10-16 with a touchdown and no tunrovers.
2:52: Minnesota’s Will Reichard hits his second field-goal of the day, this time connecting from 54-yards out. Patriots lead 14-6.
2:48: Dugger is still out there early in the third and he just made another big hit on a run blitz.
2:28: Jeremiah Webb almost scored on a 60-yard kick return, but was eventually stood up one block short being being sprung free.
2:25: Minnesota gets a field-goal. Patriots lead 14-3.
2:18: Chism fights for some tough yardage on a redzone catch on an under route for a touchdown. Dodged several defenders and pushed through a few more to get to the end zone.
2:11: Efton Chism continues to build on an impressive preseason. He snags four catches on his first four targets, including a 33-yarder.
1:40: Kyle Dugger, who is in with the second-team defense gets going with a big hit on a tackle.
1:37: Patriots go for it on 4th and goal. Javon Baker looked open but Dobbs wasn’t able to connect with him.
1:31: Patriots’ pass rush puts Sam Howell under duress and the Minnesota QB throws a pass right at Alex Austin who picks it off. Josh Dobbs takes over for Drake Maye.
1:25: Hard running from Henderson leads to the rookie’s first NFL rushing touchdown. Just bouncing off tackles. Eight-yard run for a red zone TD.
1:17: Other than a Sam Howell scramble, Vikings offense doesn’t get much done on the first drive. Carlton Davis breaks up a short pass on 3rd-and-2. Rookie Craig Wilson gets the start at safety. Nice punt return from Marcus Jones.
1:11: Maye looks for TreVeyon Henderson on a wheel rout, but it’s incomplete. Patriots punt.
1:08: Drake Maye hits a wide-open DeMario Douglas in the hands. Douglas drops the pass, which bounces upwards and is nearly picked off by Minnesota.
1:06: Ben Brown gets the start at left guard. Rookie Marcus Bryant starts at right tackle in place of Morgan Moses.
12:45: Looks like Stefon Diggs is sitting out his return to Minnesota. The Patriots receiver is still recovering from a torn ACL. He has consistently been at practice, but recently told The Athletic’s Diana Russini that he wasn’t sure if he would be available for Week 1.
12:30: Vrabel seems to be loving the contact. He’s got a pad on, taking some hits from players as he works with them hands on before the game. The former Patriots linebacker can’t resist getting into the mix.
12:15: An update on rookie left-guard Jared Wilson, who was seen working out with coach Mike Vrabel before the game. It’s been an up-and-down summer for the rookie who was impressive during a good chunk of training camp, but had some struggles during the preseason opener.
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