Patriots game recap 2!

The Patriots scoop up a pre-season win at Gillette against the Carolina Panthers

Isn’t it great when the first drive of the game is a Patriots defensive penalty? 

Obviously I jest, but in some seriousness, the Patriots did notch up 12 penalties during the win against the Panthers. But hey, it’s the pre-season, there is still plenty of time to tighten up… insert grimacing gif of choice!

Not to single guys out, but well, this is a game recap. Scanning a play and not blocking at all as well as some penalties, earned James Ferentz himself a spot on many peoples bad list, even if the late hit for unnecessary roughness at the end of the second quarter, was perhaps a little sweet revenge. 

Whilst there is considerable depth at wide receiver at the moment, and we are watching guys to make that final 53, unfortunately Tre Nixon had a catchable ball that he… didn’t, and Josh Hammond suffered a similar fate. 

But the offense wasn’t all bad, not at all. Damien Harris with great pass protection, and to risk cries of “biased for tight ends” we finally saw something from Devin Asiasi, did we see enough, the jury is still out, but he had a great grab for a 19 yard reception as well as several other good catches. 

As well as wide receiver choices, the running back room has some depth and skill sets, and JJ Taylor may be on the bubble, but not for the sake of trying! Yes, he had a drop on an easy short pass, but he scurries around with some good movement, and threw a great block for quarterback protection considering he isn’t exactly a tall guy. 

Speaking of quarterback, as much as I love me some Mac Jones, I really do, Bailey Zappe ignoring the Panthers player wrapped around his ankle and still making the throw… delicious. 

The defense has reportedly had a good training camp. Watching the last two pre-season games, against the Giants last week and now the Panthers, the defense have been the stronger side of the Patriots. 

Whilst there is a lot still being talked about with coaching and play calling, the defensive mind of Bill Belichick continues to bear fruits!

The good list for the defense is definitely long. Davon Godchaux with some good spin coverage, Ja’Whaun Bentley swallowing up the receiver, Christian Barmore on the edge barging in, Matt Judon pushing his mark back giving Lawrence Guy the opening for some quarterback pressure, Josh Uche with the sack, and that is all just in the first quarter! 

Josh Bledsoe forced a fumble and Myles Bryant was on the collect, but the officials with the premature stop of play, possible cost the Patriots some points, good job its only a pre-season game huh?

The end of the second quarter saw Mack Wilson almost having an interception, reading the quarterback’s eyes well, showing that the Chase Winovich trade-off, could really pay-off!

And just when you thought the pace of the game was ebbing away, Terrance Mitchell with the safety! Well, actually it turned out to be a fumble recovery and a touchdown. And finally, Brandon Schooler made sure his name was noted down in your game book, by sealing the Panthers fate with an interception within the final moments, and so the Patriots notched up their first pre-season win of 2022, Pats 20 – Panthers 10. 

Until next time, you lovely lot! Go Pats!