{"id":62063,"date":"2025-08-17T05:00:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-17T09:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=62063"},"modified":"2025-08-17T11:36:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-17T15:36:53","slug":"patriots-news-8-17-observations-on-the-patriots-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2025\/08\/17\/patriots-news-8-17-observations-on-the-patriots-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots News 8-17, Observations On The Patriots Win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning. Here is your Patriots news, 8-17, and NFL notes this week. The Patriots wrapped up this week against the Minnesota Vikings with a pair of joint practices and the second preseason game on Saturday afternoon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The two practices were split, with the Patriots playing quite well on Wednesday, and the Vikings, winners of 14 games a year ago, showed why as they dominated the Patriots on Thursday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell rested his starters, the Patriots rested some, but played most of their starting lineup. Regardless, Mike Vrabel had his troops playing with energy and the physicality that he is instilling in his team.<\/span><\/p>\n

And the Patriots played better than perhaps was expected, because they\u2019d been through two physical practices and a letdown was very possible, being away for most of the past week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But the team is quickly taking on the identity of its coach, and they played tough and physical all game and are coming home with a solid win 20-12 over the Vikings. The score isn\u2019t as important as the effort, but they have to feel pretty good about themselves hanging with a very good team this week. More below.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Kyle Williams:\u00a0 <\/b>Williams left the game in the first quarter after a Josh Dobbs pass sailed high; Williams went up and snagged the pass but then was leveled by a hit from LB Austin Keys.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although contact was made with Williams\u2019 head, it wasn\u2019t a dirty hit, the pass led him into contact. He left the game and didn\u2019t return.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike Vrable: <\/b>The head coach had a typical week for him, between jumping into a scrum to break it up, to getting snippy with Phil Perry about a Stefon Diggs question during the joint practices, to getting amped up about people who aren\u2019t handicapped parking illegally in handicapped spaces with Diana Russini,Vrabel was in mid-season form.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the Vikings game, Vrabel was asked about Kyle Dugger playing late into the game, and making the game-sealing interception on the last play of the game. “Well, we have to\u2014\u00a0 I mean, we only have so many guys. There’s guys that didn’t travel, there’s guys that didn’t play, and we have to have 11 out there every play,” Vrabel said.<\/span><\/p>\n

“This is the third week of our first training camp as a coaching staff and as a team. That’s what I want everybody to realize. It’s the third week of our first year, and we have to get this right. And everybody [we told] just be prepared to play, and for however long that you’re in there, or whenever you’re asked, and help on special teams.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Somebody’s got to protect the punter, somebody’s got to go on the field goal unit, somebody has to be on the kickoff return. Right?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur obligation is we have to protect the guys that have the ball, and then, you know, we have to be able to play and get stops just like we did. And that builds confidence and trust throughout everybody on the team.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots No Huddle Podcast:<\/b> Derek, Mike, and I discussed training camp and the joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings, and roster locks.\u00a0 Derek, Mike, and I later recorded a quick post-game podcast of the second preseason game. You can find our podcasts on<\/span> YouTube<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Apple,<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Spotify.<\/span><\/a> Please take a look and leave us a review.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Russ Francis\/Chuck Fairbanks:<\/b> The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn\u2019t is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders\u2019 Dave Casper changed how teams used the tight end position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This will be displayed in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis\u2019 numbers stand up well against Casper\u2019s, yet he isn\u2019t even in the team\u2019s HOF.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Observations of the Patriots 20-12 Win Over Minnesota:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

The energy and physicality were there again, which is a positive. And after a tough, physical week against the Vikings, the Patriots head back to Foxboro with a hard-fought 20-12 victory over the Vikings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t perfect, far from it\u2026and yes Virginia, the Vikes didn\u2019t play their starters. But in Mike Vrabel\u2019s team-building process, the team went on the road for the first time and bonded over some tough practices and a preseason game.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, with this in mind, let\u2019s take a look at some of the observations from the game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Henderson And Chism Both Score Again\u2026Shine:<\/b><\/h3>\n

TreVeyon Henderson had an excellent week of practice and capped it off with a fantastic run for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead. Taking a handoff at the Vikings eight-yard line, it initially looked the Vikings had it stuffed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But Henderson showed good patience and vision, found a small crack, and shook through it and a tackle to <\/span>burst into the end zone.<\/span><\/a> This kid looks so special. Vikings DC Brian Flores said the Vikings\u2019 coaching staff was \u201cblown away\u201d by Henderson this week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For years we\u2019ve lamented the lack of a special talent on the Patriots\u2019 offense. They have one now. Possibly two\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Efton Chism III had everyone excited again, and his work on the Patriots second touchdown drive was outstanding.\u00a0 The Vikings had the Patriots starting a drive at their own seven-yard line. Josh Dobbs was in at quarterback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the ensuing drive, Chism accounted for 63 of the Patriots 93 total yards. On a <\/span>big 33-yard reception<\/span><\/a> he put the Patriots in great field position, getting open and then racing downfield. Of his six catches and 71 yards, 37 of his yards were Yards After the Catch (YAC).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But his <\/span>12-yard touchdown<\/span><\/a> was some incredible work. He ran a shallow crosser and his balance and play strength some Vrabel mentioned again came through where he broke several tackles (four?) to get into the endzone. And this was on a third and nine.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve known Henderson is a lock since the draft, but I think you can now put Chism in there as well. There is no possible way to get him through the waiver wire\u2026no way. And truthfully, how could you keep this kid off the roster?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bryce Barringer Had A Strong Afternoon:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Barringer had a couple of booming punts, including a 64-yarder, with two inside the 20-yard line. After a so-so week against Washington, he looked in midseason form on Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n

The special teams overall had several good plays, but a couple of clunkers as well.\u00a0 Andrew Borregales badly shanked a 57-yard field goal, but then hit a 51-yarder later in the game. John Parker Romo hit a chipshot 28-yard FG.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jeremiah Webb had a 59-yard kickoff return, the third KO return in two games of over 50 yards. Marcus Jones had a 37-yard punt return. The return game has looked really strong thus far. The bad news is, they gave up an 81 yard KO return to Miles Price as well as a 20-yard punt return.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drake Maye\u2019s Good Week:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Drake Maye had a very good week of practice. In the game. He was a little amped up at first and sailed a couple of passes. But in the second series, he settled in and looked very good.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He used Mack Hollins nicely with the first unit, connecting three times for 38 yards including a nice 20-yard throw on a 3rd-and-3, where Maye rolled to his right and Hollins worked himself wide open.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He finished 4-7 for 46 yards and the second drive finished with Henderson\u2019s touchdown run. It should be noted again that 38 of his 46 yards passing went to Hollins, who gives him a big-bodied target that can use his size to box out defenders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Brown Fills In Nicely At Left Guard:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Jared Wilson was dealing with something physical, and while he did play, he did not start. Brown, however, played very well and he and Will Campbell both had nice blocks on Henderson\u2019s touchdown.<\/span><\/p>\n

Campbell played 17 snaps and allowed 0 sacks and 0 pressures. He did have a couple of nice blocks in the running game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dugger And Jennings Both Play Late Into the Game:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Like last week, one has to wonder what lies in the future for Kyle Dugger and Anfernee Jennings playing late into the fourth quarter. Dugger had the game-sealing interception for the win on the final play, but he nearly fumbled it away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But he\u2019s been clearly demoted to the second string, and he may have just one game remaining in his New England career. Vrabel said that his demotion had something to do with his picking up the new system. He played hurt last year but is reportedly healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n

He was a high draft pick during Bill Belichick\u2019s reign and has a contract that will make a trade difficult, unless the Patriots were willing to eat a lot of that money. But it certainly seems like his days could be numbered in Foxboro.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jennings is also in the same boat, but if teams are looking for a big edge setter in the Belichick mode, Jennings game yesterday, certainly put a lot of intriguing tape out there for teams interested.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jennings had three tackles for loss (TFLs), three sacks, and three QB hits. He had a terrific game. He\u2019s been a very good player for the Patriots, but his style doesn\u2019t really fit the Vrabel\/Williams defense. That\u2019s not to say he is a bad player at all, just a bad fit for what they want.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If they do end up cutting him loose, another team is going to get a terrific ballplayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Defense Holds Minnesota to Four Field Goals:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots defense played well on Saturday and limited the Vikings\u2019 backup offense to just four field goals. The pressure schemes of Vrabel and Williams were effective as the team had four sacks, five TFLs, nine QB hits, and four passes defensed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of those pressures resulted in an interception. Milton Williams pushed into the backfield and forced Sam Howell to scramble to his left with nowhere to step up. K\u2019Lavon Chaisson was crashing off the edge and Howell wasn\u2019t able to step into his throw, unleashing a knuckleball that Alex Austin intercepted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was one of those plays where everything worked perfectly in sync and forced a turnover. The Patriots had precious few of those a year ago and it was nice to see, what could happen more frequently this year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots took over at Minnesota\u2019s 35-yard line and drove to the two, but on fourth down, Josh Dobbs badly missed a wide-open Javon Baker.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some other quick notes, TE Jack Westover started the game at fullback. In the bid for the third TE role, Westover seems well ahead of everyone else.<\/span><\/p>\n

In both preseason games Chism has been the Patriots leading receiver. In those two games he has totalled 12 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Stefon Diggs was inactive again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

JaMycal Hasty had a nice game, running 11 times for 47 yards. He ran hard and played on STs, the more you can do\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Marcus Bryant continues to impress. He got the start at right tackle as the team is managing Morgan Moses\u2019 workload this summer. After Campbell left, Bryant moved over to left tackle and played well. If the season began tomorrow, Bryant would be the top backup\/swing tackle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots were 12-20 on third down and 2-4 in the Red Zone. Minnesota was 5-15 on third down and 0-4 in the Red Zone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

______________<\/span><\/p>\n

“I don’t think that it has. I thought that, again, there’s days where the ball doesn’t find you. There’s one football. There’s five eligible receivers.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThe quarterback decides where he wants to go with the ball. No different than Kyle Williams. Kyle Williams is working extremely hard. Ball hasn’t really found him. He’s been open. There’s been separation.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m not sure which day Todd said that, but the other day in the red zone, I thought that Stefon factored and looked good and keeps getting better, so I don’t think that that’s going to be always the case, right?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as there’s a \u2013 Terrell mentioned this. Terrell Williams said this one time, ‘you can make the play without making a tackle, right?’\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that was something that you have to teach defensive linemen, is when they start trying to make a bunch of tackles, maybe they start hurting some of the people behind them and the fits and everything else because they’re trying to make a tackle, where there’s ways to do their job and really contribute to the defense without ever getting a stat. And those plays will come, just make the ones that you’re supposed to make.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I really equate that to, really, every position. But you asked about receiver, and then again, everybody wants to catch the ball, and everybody wants to score touchdowns, and those will come, and that’ll happen, and maybe on that particular day in which Todd said that, there wasn’t a ton of production from that practice day.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m not really sure when he said that, but there’s other ways to be successful and do your job and help us win. That’s the most important thing.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Vrabel, answering a question about Stefon Diggs, and if there is an issue with him and lack of production.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c”Yeah, he just keeps on showing up. I think that’s the theme for him,” Maye said. “Whether it’s throughout camp, throughout joint practices, throughout preseason games. He got in the end zone again tonight, and he just keeps on showing up. He’s blocking in the run game, he knows what to do, he’s staying late with veterans and asking me, ‘Hey, what do you think on this route?'”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s just — he wants it,” Maye added. “And I think that’s the biggest thing he showed. And it’s paying off for him.”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Drake Maye on the continuing rise of Efton Chism III.<\/span><\/p>\n

“From day one, it’s just been consistency,” Wolf said during halftime of the game broadcast. “He’s really been a hard worker. He’s put in the time. He’s in there every day with wide receivers coach Todd Downing at 5 o’clock in the morning. And the fruits of his labor are paying off here. Three third-down conversions on that drive, extreme willpower breaking tackles and then got into the end zone there. So, we’re excited about him.”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Wolf added: “He really knows how to set up the defender at the top of the route, work leverage, and he’s a lot stronger than I think people give him credit for.”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf on Chism.<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Somebody asked me what success looks like, and I said, \u2018Yeah, you can judge it by wins and losses during the season, but success for me in the offseason is going to be that the players believe in what we\u2019re doing, and they believe in the message, they believe in the teaching, and they believe in the connections that we\u2019re making<\/span><\/i>.\u2019\u201d \u2014 Mike Vrabel<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to our<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 <\/span>PatsFans.com<\/span><\/a> Patriots No Huddle <\/span><\/i><\/a>podcasts on Apple and YouTube as Derek Havens, Mike D\u2019Abate, and I discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

He’s just — he wants it,” Maye added on Chism. “And I think that’s the biggest thing he showed. 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