WATCH: Patriots' Rookie WR Zips 42 Yards For TD Against Packers
The New England Patriots were apparently averse to carrying a halftime deficit into their preseason matchup with the Green Bay Packers on Saturday at Lambeau Field. They did their best to eliminate that possibility in the half’s closing moments.
Facing second-and-10 from the Green Bay 42-yard line, quarterback Bailey Zappe delivered a strike from the short middle to rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte for the touchdown.
The LSU product was one of the team’s standouts during both joint sessions, making catches both in the open field, as well as the red zone. At his best, he is an explosive big-play threat. The 6-0, 195-pounder possesses a sizable frame to make him tough to bring down after the catch. He also has an inherent speed to be elusive when changing direction. His ability to adjust his body to make contested catches is already catching the eye of New England's coaches.
Though Boutte’s touchdown grab tied the game at 14, Packers kicker Anders Carlson connected on a 52-yard field goal to give Green Bay a 17-14 halftime lead.
Despite getting mixed reviews on their first day of joint sessions, the Pats showcased both their aptitude and attitude on against the Packers. With both teams deciding to play their starters, and tensions slightly teetering on the brink, the Pats and Packers seem poised for a surprisingly competitive game heading into their final preseason tilts at the end of the week.
The Patriots and the Packers shared the field for joint practices for the first time since the Pats paid a visit to Green Bay in 1991. Saturday’s contest marks the Patriots first preseason game at Green Bay since Aug. 2005, with New England claiming a 27-3 victory. The teams last met at Lambeau Field for a regular season game in October 2022, and lost 27-24 in overtime.
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