The New England Patriots kicked off their preseason with a dominating 30-point win over the Washington Commanders, hanging a franchise-record 48 points on the board. Head coach Mike Vrabel praised his team’s performance, stating it was a good start to the new regime.
However, not all was perfect for the Pats. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye threw two interceptions, including one strip-sack that ended the Patriots’ first series. Despite this, Maye showcased moments of brilliance, scrambling and gaining significant yardage on several occasions.
Rookie left tackle Will Campbell set a physical tone for the offense, securing positive runs of seven, 13, and 18 yards. Quarterback Josh McDaniels started drives with crack toss schemes and mixed in downhill plays, showcasing the team’s versatility.
The Patriots’ top offense carried over from joint practice, where they demonstrated improved movement skills from their rookies, including Campbell and first-year left guard Jared Wilson. The trio will likely be key to the team’s success, but there are still areas for improvement.
Maye-Campbell-Wilson struggled on a third-down strip-sack, with both linemen overextending themselves. Maye also had pass protection issues, particularly when facing opponents who got arm extension.
Despite these flaws, the Patriots’ high-volume run plus play-action offense is a promising start to Vrabel’s regime. This approach was reminiscent of McDaniels’ past offenses, which consistently finished near the top in rushing expected points added.
The team’s running backs also showed promise, with TreVeyon Henderson terrorizing opponents on kickoff return and outside runs/toss plays. Rookie Kyle Williams had a standout debut as a receiver, drawing defensive pass interference on two occasions.
The Patriots’ defense was solid, with rookie DB Craig Woodson showing versatility in his coverage duties. EDGE Keion White logged a quarterback hit rushing outside, while NT Khyiris Tonga continued to impress with his pass-rushing ability.
As the preseason continues, the Patriots will look to build upon this performance and develop their young players. With McDaniels’ coaching expertise and Vrabel’s guidance, this high-volume run plus play-action offense is a promising start to a new era in Foxborough.
Source: https://www.patriots.com/news/after-further-review-breaking-down-qb-drake-maye-lt-will-campbell-and-25-more-takeaways-from-the-patriots-win-over-the-commanders