The New England Patriots won their second game of the preseason against the Minnesota Vikings, 20-12. Here's what stood out from another look at head coach Mike Vrabel's team under the bright lights:
TreVeyon Henderson continues to shine
The TreVeyon Henderson hype train gained even more steam Saturday as the rookie recorded his second touchdown in as many preseason games. Henderson broke contact and ripped off an eight-yard run to the endzone during his second offensive series with quarterback Drake Maye. Three plays before, he had an 11-yard run straight up the middle of the Vikings’ defense, thanks to Maye’s read of the deep-set secondary.
Henderson also returned the opening kickoff for 26 yards. Expectations keep climbing for the second-round draft pick, who’s flexed his speed and strength.
Drake Maye works through passing game
Drake Maye played two series, while Vikings starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy sat the whole day out, (along with dozens of other Minnesota starters). He showed some inaccuracy early: 6’4 receiver Mack Hollins had to go up and get his first target, and his next look to DeMario Douglas was a dangerously high ball that was deflected and very nearly picked off.
Maye dropped it right in the bucket on a wheel route for TreVeyon Henderson, but a Minnesota safety had already closed down right on top of him to prevent the connection, (credit Brian Flores’ defense for doing their homework on a rookie there).
His best connection came on 3rd-and-3 in his second series. Hollins snagged the 20-yard pass and stuck his feet right inside the sideline to move the chains.
Maye stayed turnover-free, a definite improvement from last week’s first-series fumble. He also gets credit for his command at the line of scrimmage, (see previous note on Henderson touchdown).
UDFA Efton Chism III looks undeniable
Heard of this guy yet? Undrafted free agent Efton III balled out in the second quarter and, just like Henderson, scored his second touchdown of the preseason. The 5’10, 198-pound receiver gained momentum on six catches through the first half, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown off a target from Josh Dobbs. Chism broke several points of contact after the short catch to run it in into the endzone, just one of a handful of times he flexed his yards-after-catch ability Saturday.
“From Day 1, it’s just been consistency. He’s really put in the time,” Patriots vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf told WBZ’s halftime show.
Wolf shared that Chism often meets with wide receivers coach Todd Downing for extra work at 5 a.m.
“The fruits of his labor are paying off here,” he said.
Chism still has 10 days left to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster. He’s making himself tough to ignore.
Slight change managing veterans
The Patriots’ social media team briefly got fans’ hopes up by sharing wide receiver Stefon Diggs working out on the field ahead of game time, but he and right tackle Morgan Moses both stuck to the sidelines for the game.
New England has managed veteran cornerback Carlton Davis Jr.’s participation throughout training camp and Saturday marked the first appearance he made in a preseason game as a Patriot. He broke up a pass from Vikings quarterback Sam Howell to receiver Lucky Jackson, and have gotten a little grabby on the move, but officiating stayed loose on both sides early in the game.
Vrabel’s staff has been intentional about training camp and preseason activity from the three veteran free agent signings. All suffered injuries with their previous teams last season. Wolf was very positive when WBZ’s Scott Zolak asked him about Diggs’ health as Week 1 approaches:
“I would say he’s done more than I would have expected, at this point. He’s been a tremendous worker. He’s been out there practicing every time that we’ve asked him to.”
Hunter Henry and Rhamondre Stevenson were also inactive.
Notable demotions
Rookie offensive lineman Jared Wilson has had a head-scratching trip to the Midwest. As reported by NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry, Wilson missed “almost all” of Thursday’s joint practice against the Vikings, and was replaced by Ben Brown at left guard to start the game. He came in with the backup line to get reps in front of quarterback Josh Dobbs.
Vrabel indicated that position is still up in the air, as he hasn't settled the starting five for the offensive line.
"I don't think there's a timeline," he said, noting that he'd make the decision when "it becomes clear."
Safety Kyle Dugger took reps with backups earlier this week and that trend continued in the stadium Saturday, where played through the final seconds of the game an recorded a buzzer-beating interception. How well he fits in Vrabel’s defensive scheme is something to monitor. Anfernee Jennings, who started 15 games at linebacker last year and resigned as an unrestricted free agent in 2024, also played into the fourth quarter.