PostGame Thread OFFICIAL POSTGAME THREAD: 2025 Preseason Game 1: Patriots Blow Out Commanders 48-18

[Salsalife]

Luv it. We will lean on the run game early in the season, and we should be a really good play action team if we can continue to push people around in the run game. Passing O will come, gotta give it some time.

Learning the McDaniels offense takes time but remember no starters in for Washington defense. Should have been a cakewalk passing wise also....

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Learning the McDaniels offense takes time but remember no starters in for Washington defense. Should have been a cakewalk....

Ya, this is true but you can only play who lines up opposite you. Baby steps imo. The difference from last year is stark already. I don't like to **** on Mayo, but man oh man was he in over his head and clueless. This should be a much more disciplined, prepared and fundamental sound football team this year.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Learning the McDaniels offense takes time but remember no starters in for Washington defense. Should have been a cakewalk passing wise also....

True, but remember our #1 receiver WR didn’t play either. The disappointment was that Boutte and Douglas didn’t create much separation against their guys.

Maye has a lot to prove, but I do think he made smart decisions in his dump offs and his runs last night. The sack/fumble was the only real negative play from him in my opinion, but unfortunately it was a huge one. Glad Vrabel got on him right away over that. I have a feeling that wasn’t the case with last year’s coaching staff.

 

[The Gr8est]

True, but remember our #1 receiver WR didn’t play either. The disappointment was that Boutte and Douglas didn’t create much separation against their guys.

Maye has a lot to prove, but I do think he made smart decisions in his dump offs and his runs last night. The sack/fumble was the only real negative play from him in my opinion, but unfortunately it was a huge one. Glad Vrabel got on him right away over that. I have a feeling that wasn’t the case with last year’s coaching staff.

Maybe the dump offs were a point of emphasis for Maye last night, as opposed to big throws downfield.

Part of his development.

 

[PatsFan2]

One thing about last night. I don't want to see T Henderson again until Game 1. What a Super Player he's going to be...we have a gem.

 

[PatsFan2]

Great game last night. My only real concern is the complexity of Josh's offense and the lack of production from QB1, QB2 and the WR's. I get that Maye didn't get a lot of snaps (why not?) and some WR's didn't play, but their was a lot of out-of-sync going on there. Yes it's just the preseason...but the real games start in 30 days. I would actually prefer Drake, the WR's and Josh go over plays / routes and build on chemistry for the next 2 weeks by themselves inside the stadium and just focus on that....constantly. All other phases of the team look good otherwise.

Surprised a WR like Pop and TE like H Henry couldn't spring loose against back ups.

 

[sb1]

I think we need to be very patient with the QB. Maye is in his first season with an NFL caliber coaching staff. Also his first season under Skippy as an OC. It might take 8 or 9 games for Maye and the offense to figure it out and gel as a unit.
For example
Bo Nix is finally comfortable in Payton's offense. He struggled last season despite making the playoffs. He will take the leap in year 2. Watch these Broncos compete for the AFC championship.
So don't get too frustrated this season with the passing offense. It's going to be a work in progress all year.

Was also way more polished than Maye. His ceiling is lower than Maye’s but less growing pains too.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Worth pointing out that this helps against the whole "Washington wasn't playing their ones!!" argument... The Pats also were without:

1. Their CB1 (Gonzo)
2. Their CB2 (Davis)
3. Their top DT (Barmore)
4. Their starting OLB (Landry)
5. Another OLB who will play a lot (Chaisson)
6. Their WR1 (Diggs)
7. Their starting RT (Moses)
8. A veteran starting-level WR (Bourne)

... and several other depth players competing for top backup jobs (Tavai, Sow, Wallace, Lowe).

I thought that the important takeaway was the attitude and intensity everyone played with. The violence was contagious. I have never seen Antonio Gibson dish out hits like he did last night, and that went for pretty much everyone. Last year they were the baby lamb out for slaughter, last night they looked like the wolf. Vrabel has clearly set a tone for how he wants them to play, and last night they not only took that to the field, but looked like they relished doing it. Win or lose this team looks like it will fight on every down, and that’s a welcome change from the pitiful meek white flag waving **** we have been witnessing in recent seasons.

 

[WazzuWheatfarmer]

I thought that the important takeaway was the attitude and intensity everyone played with. The violence was contagious. I have never seen Antonio Gibson dish out hits like he did last night, and that went for pretty much everyone. Last year they were the baby lamb out for slaughter, last night they looked like the wolf. Vrabel has clearly set a tone for how he wants them to play, and last night they not only took that to the field, but looked like they relished doing it. Win or lose this team looks like it will fight on every down, and that’s a welcome change from the pitiful meek white flag waving **** we have been witnessing in recent seasons.

This is so well said. I could not agree more! Mayo just so inept. His team had zero fight. Zero will to win. It was pathetic last year. Vrabel is such a breath of fresh air.

 

[Zuma]

Surprised a WR like Pop and TE like H Henry couldn't spring loose against back ups.

I don't know how much they played but overall I think Drake and the WR's have a loooooooooong way to go to get up to speed with Josh's offense before the 1st regular season game. We had concerns before Josh was hired about the complexities of his offense. The complexities are still there and I'm not sure Drake and the WR's have it figured out to a degree that will allow them to be somewhat productive just yet.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Hammer of Thor]

One thing about last night. I don't want to see T Henderson again until Game 1. What a Super Player he's going to be...we have a gem.

I get what you’re saying, but he’s still a rookie and I’m sure would benefit from seeing some game action.

But that said, when was the last time a rookie flashed like that in a game for us? He has star written all over him. I’m completely ecstatic that we got him.

 

[sb1]

Wish guys like Williams and Chis would get some more snaps with Maye. They can’t show much paired with Dobbs missing throws

 

[DaBruinz]

Great effort. Any injuries to monitor besides Polk?

Lan Larison in a walking boot.. (not sure if anyone else replied)

 

[captain stone]

I’m guessing from the score only, we’re feeling pretty good about the return of Josh McDaniels' offense.

I'll always wonder what Chip Kelly could've done here, however...

 

[signbabybrady]

Glad the Pats continue to move away from the all blue look. The current uniforms would look even better without the shoulder stripes.

Why did it look like the game was played in a dome last night?

Henderson is going to be a big playmaker. The one cut and explosion though the hole on his only carry is something we've had had in a long time.

Bring back the old kickoff format.

Anfernee Jennings isn't making the team. Playing in the 4th Q is a really bad sign.

Wilson and Campbell need to do better figuring out the stunt where Maye was carless himself and fumbled.

With the new Jumbo that closed in the open side the stadium in pictures does have more of a dome feel. Definitely no roof though lol.

FWIW I think the new kickoff rules play in favor of a player like Henderson. He's able to get his speed going and then when gets to the line he just needs to find one hole like any run play and if he gets through it's going to be a decent to good return. And then when it really clicks clearly he has the ability to make it a house call.

 

[captain stone]

Stone can’t even have a good night after a week one preseason blowout. Gosh it must suck to be that miserable in life. Out here critiquing players like they blew it in the conference championship game. Sometimes I wonder if you even enjoy the game, or just watch it so you can complain about something.

It's called Perspective. Try it once, you might like it.

 

[Love The Drake]

Lan Larison in a walking boot.. (not sure if anyone else replied)

Well IR and back later on in the season, in case of Injuries if true.

I think based on Mikes and Drakes comments on Chism, I think he is on the roster. Baker makes it he looked great on special teams coverage.
And Mike Lauded both Chism and Baker as great blockers.

So I will say here is the wr Depth Chart.

Diggs, Boutte, Douglas, Hollins, Williams, Baker, Chism.

Hollins also is invoked in tight end packages,

Henry, Hopper, Hollins as tight ends

RBs, Henderson, Stevenson, Gibson.

FB/TE Westover.

QBs I think 2 with one on PS.

Oline Seems set, no surprises there.
Aside from a possible retirement from Moses. Or Bradbury being cut traded or early retirement.

DBs, surprise here is Mapu making it over Dugger. DJ James taking snaps from Marcus Jones when everyone is healthy.


DTs does Pharms make this roster?
Jennings doesn’t fit this scheme keeping a eye out for a trade with the Vikings.

So I have trade candidates as Dugger, Jennings, Bourne, Polk, Pharms,

Thoughts?

 

[captain stone]

I had to leave the GDT. It was ridiculous. Guys want to have him fail so they can be right.

Kelvin.

Banks.

 

[PP2]

This should be a much more disciplined, prepared and fundamental sound football team this year.

With Vrabel calling out Maye like he did yesterday for a bad decision, you can definitely bet on that.

I love that the accountability is back. Total 180 from last season.