The New England Patriots are set to face off against the Minnesota Vikings in their second preseason matchup on Saturday afternoon. The Patriots have been working to bounce back from a rough practice session on Thursday, during which they struggled with the Vikings’ pass rush and defensive line.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye will be looking to improve upon his previous performances, having faced intense pressure from the Vikings’ defense in joint practices earlier this week. Maye’s struggles with the Patriots’ offense were evident last week against the Commanders, but he bounced back well after a fumble.
Maye’s main challenge will be facing the Vikings’ pass rush, which has been a major concern for the Patriots’ offense. The young quarterback must find a way to protect himself and deliver accurate passes despite the intense pressure.
Other players worth watching include rookie left tackle Will Campbell, who struggled against the Vikings’ edge rusher Jonathan Greenard in joint practices. Campbell will face a tough test on Saturday as he tries to prove himself against the Vikings’ defense.
The Patriots’ receivers, including Kyle Williams and Efton Chism, are also looking for opportunities to make an impact despite limited playing time. Chism had a standout performance in the preseason opener and will be looking to replicate that success on Saturday.
Josh Dobbs, the backup quarterback, is expected to play a significant role in the game as he tries to establish himself behind Maye. Ben Wooldridge, the third-string quarterback, will also be watching his performance closely after being criticized by head coach Mike Vrabel.
The Patriots are also working through some cut candidates, including Kyle Dugger, Jahlani Tavai, and Cole Strange. These players will need to prove themselves in order to secure a spot on the team’s 53-man roster.
The game will be broadcast on WBZ-TV, with pregame coverage kicking off at 12:30 p.m. The Patriots-Vikings preseason matchup is set for 1 p.m., and fans can catch it again on Saturday night at 8 p.m.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/drake-maye-efton-chism-will-campbell-patriots-vikings-preseason-preview-nfl