Seeing improvement in the Patriots roster is what needed to be prevalent in preseason game #2, and they delivered with new weapons emerging, veterans and rookies alike.
Incoming running back Rex Burkhead was one of the key role players in this game, despite the close loss. With rushing seven times for 20 yards, Burkhead showed off his versatility factor with catching three passes on three attempts for 50 yards and scoring a touchdown. Along with the veteran coming over from Cincinnati, second year back D.J. Foster from Arizona State, who was signed as a undrafted free agent in 2016, had a similar game to Burkhead. Foster racked up 23 yards on 6 carries to go with 52 yards receiving on 4 catches while finding the endzone for a touchdown.
The main focus of the Patriots quarterbacks this game, Jimmy Garoppolo put up another solid performance, although throwing an interception and losing a fumble. Despite the few scuffs, completing 15 passes on 23 attempts for 145 yards and a score was not a bad day for the fourth year quarterback out of Eastern Illinois. Eventually the presence of Tom Brady in the preseason resulted in the Pats scoring a touchdown relatively quickly with Brady taking reps (6-9 67 yds 1 TD). Third string guy Jacoby Brissett finished with 5 completions on 10 attempts with 36 yards to his name.
On the receiving end, the majority of the workload was on the versatile backs of Foster and Burkhead. Rookie receiver Austin Carr once again delivered with three catches on 31 yards, a dependable slot receiver who can run the routes.
Defensively, veteran defensive tackle/edge Lawrence Guy recorded a sack, the only one with New England this game, to go with 2 solo tackles.
Next game is next Friday against the Detroit Lions! Stay tuned!
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