Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ 22-17 victory over the Titans in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Chase Winovich was all over the field: On quick blush, the rookie edge player had at least seven quarterback pressures (four knockdowns) a sack and at least one tackle for a loss. He was all over the field making plays, even when the play was away from. Winovich showed off his motor and athletic ability. That's good news considering two of his competitors on the edge were injured. Speaking of that...
Derek Rivers, Shilique Calhoun injured: Derek Rivers, two years removed from ACL surgery, went down on an innocuous play in the first quarter that he wasn't really involved in. Bill Belichick came onto the field but Rivers limped off the field. Shilique Calhoun, who had become a de facto starter the past couple of weeks, got leg whipped. Dr. Jessica Flynn's quickie diagnosis: a high-ankle sprain with the possibility of a mild MCL sprain.
Damien Harris shows off his toolbox: After missing the first preseason game with a hand injury, the third-round pick ramped up his participation this week and showed off a few of the areas where he has an advantage on Sony Michel, at least when he was a rookie. Harris caught four passes for 23 yards, but he was terrific on the ground with 14 carries for 80 yards (5.7 average), including a 20-yarder with a great cutback. Michel didn't start trusting himself there until the second half of the season. Overall, he showed off good balance, ability to take contact and a little giddy-up. Good first outing.
Not many starters play
Who sits out and who plays is often a tell for who is or isn't battling for a roster spot.
Not playing, offense — Tom Brady, Sony Michel, Phillip Dorsett (inj.), Maurice Harris (inj.), Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, Ben Watson, N'Keal Harry (inj.), James White, Rex Burkhead, James Develin.
Not playing, defense — Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler, Michael Bennett, John Simon, Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Elandon Roberts, Kyle Van Noy, Stephon Gilmore, Jonathan Jones, Jason McCourty, Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty.
Notables: Duron Harmon started but didn't play much. Mike Pennel played a lot. Jakobi Meyers played a ton. Terrence Brooks and Obi Melifonwu played a lot at safety. Brooks swapped with Dawson at one point.
SECOND GUESS
I know he's a rookie and an undrafted one at that, but there's little reason to have Jakobi Meyers (six catches, 82 yards) out there for most of the second half against scrubs. Meyers is a virtual lock to make this team and, considering the health of the receivers, the Patriots need him as healthy as possible.
FIVE UP
ED Chase Winovich: Was all over the field and in the backfield, showing an equal ability to play the run and the pass. The good thing was he beat tackles and tight ends/fullbacks and his closing speed is impressive.
RB Damien Harris: Was an all-around back in his debut with 18 touches and 103 total yards. Tough to bring down, a little burst, good balance
LT Isaiah Wynn: Didn't make any blatant mistakes and showed really good anchoring when it came to pass blocking.
S Terrence Brooks: Showed something the Patriots haven't had in a little bit — big-hit ability over the middle. Did that a couple of times. Had a pass breakup and also had tight coverage on a third down.
QB Jarrett Stidham: Had a few iffy throws that could have gone for a pick-six and contributed to a safety, but he did finish 14 of 19 for 193 yards and a beauty back-shoulder TD to Damoun Patterson for a rating of 123.4.
THREE DOWN
G/C James Ferentz: Allowed a sack and appeared to have a rough night all around. Things aren't trending well for him.
K Stephen Gostkowski: Missed a 40-yard field goal, to go along with his miss from last week.
NT Mike Pennel: Logged a lot of snaps and was part of the rush defense that seemed to get run over at times in the third quarter. His status is very questionable.
INJURIES
Derek Rivers (knee): Appeared to motion to the trainers that something happened with his knee, which is never good.
Shilique Calhoun (ankle): Appeared to get leg-whipped. Hopefully it's just an ankle sprain, but an MCL injury can't be ruled out until there's an exam.
TOP PLAYS
Nice 'cake by Jakob Johnson.
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
The 2019 draft class looks pretty good: We've been dying for a younger generation of Patriots to step up and help the cap, and the Patriots might have something here. N'Keal Harry was great last week. CB Joejuan Williams had a few pass breakups. Winovich was Winovich. Damien Harris looked great. Byron Cowart had a sack. Stidham was productive again. Jake Bailey had a 5.38 hangtime. We'll see on Hjlate Froholdt and Yodny Cajuste. So far, so good for the kids.
Ok, time for the starters to get some run: After some tough joint practice sessions and a short week before Thursday night's game against the Panthers, it was understandable why most of the starters sat out. But some of these guys need to be hit, or hit somebody. Football is coming. Time to build those callouses up.