Patriots Defense Stands Tall in 20-10 Win over Panthers: Live Game Log
The NFL preseason has reached its second week, with the New England Patriots (0-1) taking on the Carolina Panthers (1-0) at Gillette Stadium.
On the heels of a 23-21 loss to the New York Giants last Thursday, the Patriots will look to enter the win column for the first time this season while also giving several projected starters a chance to get their feet wet.
Among the Pats expected to make their season debuts are quarterback Mac Jones, running back Damien Harris, receiver DeVante Parker and linebacker Matthew Judon. Additionally, New England will be rolling out its projected starting five on the offensive front.
The opposite is true for Carolina, who defeated the Washington Commanders 23-21 on Saturday and have no plans to play their starters. The Panthers are expected to begin the game with sixth-year pro PJ Walker at quarterback, and he and rookie third-round pick Matt Corral are poised to alternate each quarter, according to head coach Matt Rhule.
Following an intense two days of joint practices earlier in the week headlined by a pair of big fights, there are few secrets left between either side. Though the regular season is still three weeks away, the competitive nature of the practices makes this an intriguing preseason matchup.
Among inactives, Carolina is unlikely to play quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, with Rhule trying to get a better look at players on the roster bubble. For New England, Kendrick Bourne, Isaiah Wynn and Justin Herron were not seen on the field during warmups. You can see some other names unlikely to suit up below:
via ESPN
Follow along with Patriots Country as we keep you up to date on each drive and scoring play Friday night from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
In-game updates will appear below after kickoff ...
The Patriots won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Panthers will start with the football.
First Quarter
The kickoff went through the back of the end zone, giving Carolina the ball at their own 25.
New England's defense started with a hold on Harvey Langi, but quickly rebounded to force a punt following a pair of inaccurate passes by Walker. Facing Carolina's second-team offense, the Patriots' defense had as strong of a start as anticipated.
Myles Bryant was smothered immediately back deep, giving the Patriots the ball at their own 22.
Change of Possession
New England's opening offensive play was a physical six-yard carry by Harris. However, the drive stalled in a hurry, as Jones' first pass of the preseason was slightly behind and ultimately dropped by Parker, and he was sacked on 3rd and 4 as James Ferentz allowed near instant pressure.
Jake Bailey's punt was fair caught by Shi Smith at the Carolina 33.
Change of Possession
Carolina's second drive began with a 19-yard strike from Walker to Keith Kirkwood, right behind the dropping Ja'Whaun Bentley. The Panthers then ran the ball three consecutive plays, picking up a first down on 3rd and 3 with Raekwon McMillon a step late to the corner.
The Panthers' fresh set of downs went south quickly, as Bentley snuffed out a screen for a four-yard loss, and Walker was sacked by Deatrich Wise and Josh Uche on consecutive plays.
Johnny Hekker's punt was fair caught by Bryant at the New England 22, the same starting spot as last drive.
Change of Possession
Rhamondre Stevenson in at running back this series for the Patriots. A three-yard carry put New England on schedule, but Jones missed high on a dig route to Jakobi Meyers and then couldn't connect with Stevenson on 3rd and 7.
Another 3-and-out from the Patriots' first-team offense, as Bailey's 54-yard resulted in a 14-yard return by Smith. It's Carolina's ball at their own 35, looking to put the first points on the board.
Change of Possession
New England forced Carolina into a 3rd and 6, but couldn't get off the field as Walker found receiver Rashard Higgins right at the number.
Two plays later, Walker hit tight end Giovanni Ricci for a 21-yard gain, with 15 added on following a roughing the passer penalty on defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
Working inside the red zone for the first time, Carolina picked up six yards on two carries before Walker airmailed Smith on 3rd and 4.
The Panthers strung together a solid drive that ultimately resulted in kicker Zane Gonzalez splitting the uprights on a 27-yard field goal.
Panthers 3, Patriots 0
Change of Possession
Rookie running back Pierre Strong Jr. returned the kickoff from deep in the end zone out to the New England 19 yard line
Ty Montgomery gets the carry on first down, the third running back to see action through three series. His one-yard carry led way to Jones' first two completions, a screen pass to Meyers for four yards and a quick-hitter to Nelson Agholor for seven on 3rd and 5, giving New England a new set of downs for the first time.
Montgomery took a second down carry for six yards to set up a 3rd and 4, bringing the first quarter to an end.
Second Quarter
The Patriots quickly picked up the first down on a five-yard swing pass to Montgomery before Jones hit Agholor for 45 yards on a well-placed downfield shot.
Responding to Carolina's scoring drive, it took the Patriots just three plays inside the red zone to get their first touchdown on the board, a Montgomery two-yard run up the middle that was blocked well by New England's offensive line. Nick Folk's extra point was right down the middle, getting New England an early lead.
Patriots 7, Panthers 3
Change of Possession
As expected, Corral takes for Carolina's first offensive series in the second quarter. The rookie from Ole Miss completed his first pass, a four-yard gain into a tight window to tight end Tommy Tremble, and second, an eight-yard gain to convert a 3rd and 5.
His third fell incomplete but was nevertheless effective, as cornerback Terrance Mitchell was flagged for pass interference, resulting in a 19-yard gain for Carolina.
As the Panthers moved into Patriots territory, New England's defense held serve, forcing Corral to throw highly contested passes, with the first nearly intercepted and second broken up on a nice play by corner Jonathan Jones, forcing a Carolina punt.
Johnny Hekker's boot went into the endzone, giving the Patriots the ball at their own 20, working with the lead for the first time all game.
Change of Possession
Jones' day is done, as veteran Brian Hoyer has taken over at quarterback for New England. His first two passes were sharp, connecting with Parker for 17 yards and rookie Tyquan Thornton for 13.
However, the drive stalled after the Patriots were penalized for having too many men on the field. A pair of Damien Harris carries set up a 3rd and 3, but Hoyer's quick slant to Meyers fell incomplete.
Bailey's punt was fair caught by Smith at the Carolina 9.
Change of Possession
After a pair of short gains, Corral hit Spencer Brown on a quick-hitting wheel route off of a pick play to convert a 3rd and 5, with McMillan a step late in coverage but quickly dragging Brown down to limit yards after catch.
Working with a fresh set of downs, Corral was chased and forced to throw cross-body, hitting Stephen Sullivan for a small gain ... but the ball was knocked out by Joshuah Bledsoe and recovered by Bryant! Sullivan was ruled down, but Bill Belichick successfully challenged the call.
It'll be New England's ball at the Carolina 26.
Change of Possession
Another drive, another quarterback change for the Patriots, as rookie Bailey Zappe has entered the contest. His first pass was high and behind receiver Josh Hammond.
Zappe's first completion was to Lil'Jordan Humphrey for five yards on 3rd and 9, quickly followed by a Panthers timeout and Nick Folk field goal to extend the Patriots lead.
Patriots 10, Panthers 3
Change of Possession
Working from the Carolina 25, Corral's first pass in the two-minute drill is read well and nearly picked by Mack Wilson. An offsides penalty on New England gave the Panthers a free five yards, but Corral airmailed a short pass to Brown and saw his 3rd and 5 completion to Higgins come up a half-yard short. Timeout, New England.
Carolina tried to draw New England offsides on 4th and inches, but to no avail. Hekker's punt was fair caught by Bryant, giving the Patriots the ball back at their own 20. It'll be Zappe's show with two timeouts in his back pocket and 1:06 on the clock.
Change of Possession
A good start to the drive for Zappe, as he finds tight end Devin Asiasi and receiver Tre Nixon to get the ball out to midfield with 39 seconds to go in the half.
An unnecessary roughness penalty on Ferentz put New England behind the chains, and Zappe only could only dump it off to Asiasi for eight yards on 3rd and 20. Timeout, New England.
Bailey's punt landed inside the five-yard line, but Brenden Schooler couldn't corral the ball before it bounced into the endzone.
Carolina took a knee at their own 20, bringing the half to a close.
Third Quarter
New England begins with the ball on its own 25.
The Patriots got as close to the endzone as the Carolina 24 yard line, with Zappe hitting Lil'Jordan Humphrey for a pair of chunk plays and finding Tre Nixon for a first down pickup in between.
However, a false start on Yodny Cajuste put the offense behind the chains, and the group never could recover, with Zappe being sacked for a loss of nine on 3rd and 12.
Tristan Vizcaino proceeded to miss a 53-yard field goal, short and wide right.
Change of Possession
Carolina started with good field position, taking over at its own 43. With Walker back in at quarterback, the Panthers gained 19 yards on two plays, but his downfield pass intended for receiver Derek Wright was intercepted by Shaun Wade.
Change of Possession
Wade was marked down at the spot of his interception, giving New England the ball on its own 21. The opening play of the drive was a hand-off to Strong, his first carry of the day, resulting in a four-yard gain.
After a rocky pair of drives to end the half, Zappe has settled in. He's found success targeting Humphrey and Nixon, as the Patriots enter Carolina territory after just three plays.
After Zappe found Humphrey for four yards on first down, the Patriots ran Strong three times in a row, but were stopped short on 4th and 1, giving Carolina the ball back on its own 36.
Change of Possession
Another series with Walker at the helm for Carolina. The first play was a hand-off to Brown that resulted in a loss of two yards, with Patriots defensive tackle Sam Roberts getting into the backfield. After an incomplete pass and false start, the Panthers were faced with 3rd and 17, and Walker could only find Sullivan for nine yards.
Hekker's punt was fair caught by rookie corner Marcus Jones ... but he was run into by Wade, and the ball, which hit Jones in the process, was up for grabs. Fortunately for New England, the ball bounced out of bounds, with the Patriots retaining possession at their own 11.
Change of Possession
Enter New England's sixth running back of the night - rookie Kevin Harris. He took his first two carries for 14 yards, cutting and spinning his way for a first down. Throw in an eight-yard gain to pick up a first down on a screen pass, and Harris has had quite the first series.
Zappe rolls left and throws for Nixon, but the pass is undercut and intercepted by Tae Hayes, who had just one man - Zappe - to beat. The signal caller was unable to bring Hayes down, and the corner glided into the endzone for six.
The extra point by Gonzalez is good, and Carolina has knotted this one up in the blink of an eye.
Patriots 10, Panthers 10
Change of Possession
Unfazed, Zappe goes right back to Nixon for eight yards on first down, with running back JJ Taylor doing a nice job picking up the blitz in the process. Taylor sprung a 13-yard run on the next play, but a holding penalty on Hammond brings it back.
No issue for Taylor, as he used his patience and quick feet to find and hit a gap and pick up 16 on the next play, giving New England a first down and momentum as the third quarter comes to a close.
Fourth Quarter
The Patriots begin with the ball on Carolina's 40, and Zappe immediately takes a shot to Nixon ... hand-fighting with Hayes, the ball hit Nixon's hands but fell harmlessly to the ground. Opportunity missed for New England.
An offsides penalty on Carolina and a two-yard run by Taylor gives New England a 3rd and 3. Zappe throws back shoulder for Hammond, but like with Nixon, the ball hits his hands and falls for an incomplete pass.
Though there were a pair of missed opportunities, the Patriots still managed to pull the lead back, as Vizcaino split the uprights from 51, avenging his earlier miss.
Patriots 13, Panthers 10
Change of Possession
Likely finishing off the rotation, Corral has entered for Carolina's first drive of the fourth quarter. A pair of athletic plays in pursuit by linebacker Cameron McGrone and defensive end Ronnie Perkins created a 3rd and 7 for the Panthers, but Corral found receiver Charleston Rambo for nine yards, with Marcus Jones in coverage for New England.
After a pair of running plays resulted in another 3rd and 7, the Patriots were able to get off the field, with rookie corner Jack Jones having good coverage on Wright downfield. The ball hit Jones in the hands, but he couldn't finish the catch to haul in an interception.
Hekker's punt was returned for six yards by Jones, with New England setting up shop on its own 27, looking to milk some of the 10 minutes left on the clock.
Change of Possession
The Patriots weren't able to put points on the board, but the drive was rather successful as a whole, picking up nearly 30 yards and killing over four minutes of game action. Many of the yards gained came through the ground, as Strong had 15 and Zappe scampered for nine and a first down.
A false start penalty put the Patriots behind the chains, and they couldn't recover, forcing a Jake Bailey punt. The ball bounced inside the five, and Humphrey made an athletic play to defeat two blockers and keep the ball from reaching the endzone. Carolina takes over on its own 4.
Change of Possession
The Panthers' drive started with a first down after two plays, but a pair of false starts and an Anfernee Jennings sack pushed them back to 3rd and 22 on their own 2.
Forced to pass, Carolina's offensive line couldn't hold up. A pair of offsetting penalties prevented a would-be safety, but the Panthers could only gain 12 yards before being forced to punt.
Hekker's 61-yard punt was returned 20 yards by Jones to the New England 45. Carolina was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, adding 15 yards to Jones' return. The Patriots will start with the ball on the Carolina 40 and a three-point lead.
Change of Possession
A pair of Taylor runs had the Patriots well-positioned, facing a 3rd and 2 and Carolina down to just one timeout. Another false start penalty thwarted those plans, and Zappe could only gain six yards on an underneath completion to tight end Matt Sokol.
Coming out of the two-minute warning, the Patriots, facing a 4th and 1, ran a quick toss to Taylor, who spun his way to a first down, but the play was called back due to a hold on Sokol.
Another solid Bailey punt was fair caught by Smith, with Carolina starting a make-or-break drive inside the 10 yard line.
Change of Possession
Down 13-10 with under two minutes to go, the Panthers needed a spark, and Rhule saw his best chance in Walker. However, the drive turned bad in a hurry, as Walker was sacked right in front of the goal line on 1st and 10 before fumbling in his endzone on 2nd and 19.
Damarcus Mitchell forced it, Sam Roberts recovered it, and the Patriots have all but wrapped this one up, as Nick Folk's extra point splits the uprights.
Patriots 20, Panthers 10
Change of Possession
Working from his own 25, Walker gained 42 yards on a pair of completions. His third pass of the drive was intercepted by Brenden Schooler at the New England 8, effectively ending the ball game.
Change of Possession
With under 20 seconds to go and victory secured, Zappe took a knee, bringing the game to an end with New England reaching the win column for the first time this season.
