10 takeaways from the Patriots’ preseason-opening loss to the Houston Texans

Patriots

The most recent on offensive struggles, Keion White’s huge debut, Jalen Mills’s interception, and extra.

The Patriots’ offense sputtered with out Mac Jones and most of its offensive line starters in a preseason 20-9 loss to the Houston Texans on Thursday evening.

A fumble restoration from Calvin Munson led to New England’s first rating, a 44-yard area aim from Nick Folks. Rookie Malik Cunningham scored on a purple zone QB keeper.

Houston receiver Tank Dell created separation from Isaiah Bolden on a purple zone TD catch. The ball bounced off his arms, however he was capable of find it within the air and snag it earlier than it hit the bottom.

Former Patriot Dalton Keene punched in a rating on a 1-yard run.

Rookie defensive finish Keion White made some performs, as did Jalen Mills who recorded an interception on the opening drive.

However, it wasn’t sufficient to tug off the win.

Listed here are 10 takeaways from the motion:

Defending Mac Jones

Holding Mac Jones upright was a precedence on Thursday evening, and can stay so all through the preseason.

As an alternative of taking part in Jones behind a banged-up offensive line that was lacking Trent Brown, Cole Unusual, Mike Onwenu, and David Andrews, New England sat Jones your complete evening.

Bailey Zappe received an prolonged quantity of labor, taking part in deep into the third quarter.

Spectacular debut for Keion White

Keion White spent a substantial period of time in Houston’s backfield, pressuring the quarterbacks and serving to plug up operating holes.

His greatest spotlight got here within the third quarter when Dare Ogunbowale bobbled a pitch. White got here flying in at full pace and laid a crushing hit on Ogunbowale, knocking the ball to the bottom and permitting Calvin Munson to scoop it up. The change of possession led to New England’s first area aim.

An correct, however unremarkable begin for Bailey Zappe

Zappe accomplished 10 of his first 12 passes, however they had been largely display screen passes and quick routes that allowed him to eliminate the ball shortly.

His longest completion of the evening was a 27-yarder to Tyquan Thornton, who high-pointed the ball with two arms and made a leaping catch as he fell backwards to the turf.

Porous offensive line play allowed Zappe to be sacked twice, and hurried far more. Nonetheless, New England allowed him to get fairly a little bit of reps.

Malik Cunningham leads New England’s solely landing drive

Hint McSorely closed out the third quarter, and scout-team quarterback Malik Cunningham entered the sport within the fourth.

His facemask received yanked so onerous on one scramble play that his helmet got here off because the referee threw the yellow penalty flag.

Nevertheless, Cunningham completed the drive robust, juking a defender on a nine-yard landing run and capping a 14-play, 75-yard landing drive. The speedy QB who additionally has gotten reps at receiver in follow, led the Patriots in dashing with 34 yards on 5 makes an attempt.

Play of the Day: Jalen Mills’s interception

With Jack Jones and Christian Gonzalez beginning on the cornerback spots, Jalen Mills started the sport at security.

He made an impression on the opening drive when he intercepted a move from No. 2 general choose CJ Stroud. Mills jumped in entrance of a move meant thrown too quick to be wherever close to the meant receiver Dell, and returned the ball 13 yards.

Zero targets for Demario Douglas

Maybe the most important optimistic coaching camp shock amongst Patriots rookies has been the emergence of Demario Douglas, who has extra catches than any Patriots receiver to this point in camp.

That momentum didn’t carry over within the preseason opener. Douglas didn’t have any catches or targets, and it was a really quick evening for the sixth-round choose from Liberty.

No Marte Mapu

Marte Mapu, the third-round choose from Sacramento State, spent a lot of the evening on the sidelines holding a clipboard.

This wasn’t stunning contemplating that Mapu had persistently worn a purple non-contact jersey all through coaching camp as he recovers from a torn pectoral muscle that he suffered in February.

Nonetheless, as he inches nearer to a return, it will likely be value watching to see if he will get any preseason snaps.

Chase Winovich will get a sack

Chase Winovich was credited with a half-sack on a play the place he and Kurt Hinsch received to Zappe.

Winovich, who performed for New England from 2019-21, is certainly one of a number of former Patriots on Houston’s roster together with tight-end Dalton Keene and offensive lineman Shaq Mason.

Folks will get the beginning at place kicker

Rookie kicker Chad Ryland has made some noise together with his leg in coaching camp, nevertheless it was Nick Folks who received the one field-goal try of the evening.

He drilled the 44-yarder that gave the Patriots a quick 3-0 lead earlier than the Texans scored 20 unanswered and put the sport away.

Can anyone get open?

Tre Nixon led the Patriots in targets with six. Tyquan Thornton had a team-high 31 receiving yards on two catches. New England’s offense struggled to maneuver the ball each on the bottom and within the air. Quite a lot of that has to do with the offensive line, however the receivers must do their half and make performs as properly. When your prime three receivers mix for 9 catches and 66 yards, that’s a difficulty.