1. Defensive line impresses: The Patriots started several regulars defensively and they played well in the first quarter. Defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale and defensive end Keion White in particular were impressive. Both got consistent pressure on Texans rookie quarterback C.J Stroud and Ekaule had a sack. Anfernee Jennings and Carl Davis also played and did a good job of getting pressure as well. The defensive line was the lone bright spot in what was a long night.
2. Offensive line struggled and that is putting it mildly: The offensive line struggled. There is no other way around it. They were not very good. It is important to point out that they were staring three back-ups and two rookies in Atonio Mafi and Sidy Sow. Conor McDermott and James Ferentz were the only lineman who started or played in an NFL game last season. The Patriots struggled to run the ball and protect Bailey Zappe and the other quarterbacks. The Patriots rushed for 78 yards as a team but 34 of those were Malik Cunningham in the fourth quarter. Luckily, it is only the preseason. Trent Brown, Cole Strange and Michael Onwenu will eventually return and you hope this unit gets better until then.
3. Thornton makes an impression: It was a tough night for the offense but Tyquan Thornton who has been much maligned thus far in training camp had a couple of nice series. Thornton caught 2 passes for 31 yards including a nice play on a Cover 2 hole shot throw by Zappe in the second quarter. Thornton ran clean routes, got in and out of his breaks and looked comfortable in the offense. The offense left a lot to be desired overall but Thornton was a bright spot.
4. Zappe and McSorely were meh: Zappe and Trace McSorely played most of the game and neither really did anything notable other than Zappe’s 27 yard pass to Thornton in the second quarter. The offensive line was a big part of the problem as both quarterbacks were routinely under duress but it seemed like their timing and rhythm was off even when they had time. It was an outing to forget especially for Zappe who has looked really strong at times in camp.
5.Cunningham added some juice: Rookie Malik Cunning ham came into the game in the fourth quarter and added some juice to the stagnant Patriots offense. Cunningham led the team on a 10 play, 40 yard drive that culminated on a Cunningham 9 yard touchdown run in which he shook a Texans defender out of his cleats. The rookie has only been playing quarterback for the Patriots since Monday but looked poised and under control. So after tonight’s performance, will we be seeing more of Cunningham. It is too early to tell. He helped salvage what was a bad night but he still has a long way to go in his development.
https://twitter.com/newftbj/status/1689824229074571265?s=46&t=0-klhPVppXQ66vGpXhGesA
6. Kickers: It was disappointing not to see rookie kicker Chad Ryland attempt a field goal. Instead, it was Nick Folk who connected on a 44 yarder. Rookie Bryce Baringer punted the ball well. He had one bad punt but also had a 62 yarder. Overall, it was a good night for him. After tonight, the Ryland, Folk competition is still a tight one.
7. First impressions of the offense: Hard to say because I do not think it would be fair to judge Bill O’Brien and this unit after one preseason game. The offensive line is struggling and that is the biggest issue but let’s not throw away the baby with the bath water here. This was the first preseason game. If the continue to struggle the rest of the preseason, then it might be a cause for concern.