The New England Patriots faced off against the Minnesota Vikings in a joint practice on Wednesday, with head coach Mike Vrabel stating that he wanted his players to be prepared for the unique defensive scheme of Vikings mastermind Brian Flores. The Pats’ offense showed flashes of brilliance, led by quarterback Drake Maye, who made several big plays despite facing intense pressure from the Vikings pass rush.
Maye’s ability to escape sacks and find open receivers was a key factor in the Patriots’ positive experience. He connected with receivers Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, and TreVeyon Henderson for explosive gains, including a 65-yard touchdown to Henderson on a wheel route. However, the Vikings’ defense also had its moments, with the pass rush causing some issues for Maye.
The Patriots’ run game, led by TreVeyon Henderson, showed signs of life, with Henderson making several big plays in team drills and blitz pickup situations. Rhamondre Stevenson worked off to the side during practice, but it’s expected that he’ll return soon. The veteran tight end Hunter Henry also sat out.
The right side of the line, led by LG Jared Wilson and RT Morgan Moses, seemed stout against the Vikings’ pass rush. Moses impressed in 1-on-1 drills, while Wilson continues to stand out in pass protection drills. However, the left side struggled at times, with Will Campbell getting beat for a sack.
Overall, the Patriots came away from joint practice with a positive feeling, despite facing a tough challenge from the Vikings’ defense. With Flores’s pressure package and the Vikings’ stout run defense, the Pats will need to find ways to overcome these challenges if they hope to succeed on the field.
Source: https://www.patriots.com/news/11-takeaways-on-the-patriots-offense-in-wednesday-s-joint-practice-vs-the-vikings