7 Takeaways from Patriots' 2nd Preseason Game vs. Vikings

The New England Patriots defeated the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday afternoon, making their record 2-0 in the preseason. This was the first time since 1997 that the Patriots played a preseason game in the middle of the day.

After spending a work week in Minnesota, capping it off with a 20-12 victory in the game is a great step forward in the right direction for the Patriots as they continue to reshape and build the team they want to be under head coach Mike Vrabel.

Here are seven notes and takeaways from the Pats second win of the preseason:

1. Drake Maye

Patriots starting quarterback Drake Maye played in the first two series and had some ups and downs during his time in the game. He finished 4-of-6 for 46 yards. 

In the first drive, Maye connected with Hollins, but it was a high pass even for the tallest receiver on the team. His second pass attempt was overthrown to DeMario Douglas and was almost intercepted.

In the very next play, Maye didn’t break the huddle until only 10 seconds were remaining on the play clock. The offense didn’t get settled until there were only 6 seconds on the play clock. Maye called for Hollins to motion to the right, which brought the play clock to zero. Maye didn’t notice the play clock winding down, and it resulted in a delay of game on the offense.

Vrabel sent Maye and the top offense back out for a second series because he believed he saw some positive momentum at the end of the first drive that he wanted them to capitalize on. It turned out to be the right decision by Vrabel because Maye had the best pass of the preseason with the top offense.

It was 3rd & 3 on the Vikings' 45-yard line. Hollins is split out wide to the right and he runs a streak down the field. The play started with man coverage from the defense, but it switched into a zone with two safeties over the top when the ball was snapped. With great pass protection, Maye extends the play by running to his right while remaining a passer to find Hollins, who came back on his route for a wide-open top-tapping sideline catch.

The second drive displayed Maye’s composure to lead the team even after a struggling start.

2. Offensive Line

The Patriots continue to tinker with their starting offensive line as Vrabel is searching for the perfect five to start the season with. There was a time when rookie Jared Wilson was looking like he was going to be the starting left guard, but during joint practice on Thursday, Ben Brown was moved to the starting left guard position.

The starting offensive line on Saturday vs. the Vikings: LT: Will Campbell, LG: Ben Brown, C: Garrett Bradbury, RG: Mike Onwenu, RT: Marcus Bryant.

The second-string offensive line: LT: Bryant, LG: Wilson, C: Brown, RG: Cole Strange, RT: Verderian Lowe.

The third-string offensive line: LT: Lowe, LG: Wilson & Strange, C: Strange & Wilson, RG: Sidy Sow, RT: Demontrey Jacobs.

During his postgame interview, Vrabel said that the left guard position is still a competition. He also alluded to Wilson dealing with an injury, to which he worked out during pregame before being cleared to play on Saturday.

3. TreVeyon Henderson

After an electrifying start to the new and improved Patriots by rookie TreVeyon Henderson returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown with the first touch of his NFL career, the rookie running back continued on Saturday in the second game of the preseason.

Henderson had four carries for 20 yards and one touchdown. Two of his touches were huge runs on third down to move the chains; his touchdown run was from eight yards out, where he ran over many Vikings and left Vrabel completely dumbfounded on the sidelines.

The important part of Henderson’s game is his elite pass-protection skills, which opened up a few plays for Maye to extend the opportunity.

4. Kyle Dugger

Kyle Dugger is the longest tenured player on the team and he’s starting to lose his job under a new coaching staff. Over the past week, Dugger was moved to the second-string defense and is playing late in both preseason games so far.

Dugger didn’t get on the field on Saturday until the end of the first quarter and he made a play on his first snap of the game. He was lined up as a box safety who made the initial hit on the ball carrier.

This has been a role that Dugger has thrived in his career, but it’s not one that Vrabel seems to want in the veteran safety. It’s possible that Dugger could be the hybrid linebacker that we’ve seen from him in the past, but the team recently moved Marte Mapu into that role.

Dugger’s contract is a big factor here, but it could come down to Mapu vs Dugger for that role on the roster.

5. Kobee Minor

Kobee Minor is an underrated player for the Pats in the preseason. He led the team with six tackles on Saturday and was around the ball all throughout the game. 

Minor (5’11”, 188 lbs.) plays with good size and is a physical corner. He matches up well with receivers and communicates with his fellow defensive backs on the field.

It’s possible that Minor could rotate to safety if the Patriots think he can be a versatile defensive back, but the safety room is crowded right now. I think the Patriots should consider keeping Minor as depth for the defensive backs, maybe on the practice squad and he can work his way up.

Not too bad of an outcome for Minor, who is the 2025 Mr. Irrelevant.

6. Alex Austin

Alex Austin continues to showcase as a top slot cornerback on the team, a role that Marcus Jones has held for the last few years in New England. In this game, Austin only gave up one catch on four targets and had an interception.

Austin is 6-foot-1, 191 pounds, and poses as a taller corner, which is what Vrabel seems to want. On the other hand, Jones is 5-foot-8, 188 pounds, and has speed to his game, which is useful as a returner.

In the beginning of the offseason, I questioned if Jones will have a role on this team with it being a contract year and him being on the shorter side compared to the other corners on the roster.

7. Special Teams

The special teams units continue to be impressive for the Patriots. Coach Jeremy Springer is the lone holdover from the previous coaching regime and he is proving to be the right decision by Vrabel to keep him.

Rookie kicker Andres Borregales finished 1-for-2 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points. He made a 50-yard field goal and then missed from 57 yards out.

Marcus Jones returned a punt for 37 yards on a great blocked return formation.

The kickoff returns continue to be huge for the Patriots in the preseason. They totaled 130 yards on only four returns in Saturday’s game between three different returners (Jeremiah Webb, 82 yards, Henderson, 26 yards, JaMycal Hasty, 22 yards).

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