BSJ Game Report: Patriots 20, Panthers 10 - After slow start, offense wakes up

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ preseason win over the Panthers in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis, including 3 up/3 down and two takes Bedard will likely regret later:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Offense a work in progress but finds some success: Well, the first two drives for the Patriots' offense was an extension of what we've seen much of camp — it was inconsistent, to be kind.

After a good, hard run on first down by Damien Harris for 6 yards, the next six Patriots plays went for a total of minus-2 yards as they punted on two three-and-outs, including a 6-yard sack of Jones on the first third down.

But as Ty Montgomery was inserted at running back on the third possession, the Patriots started to find a little success:

• A pass 2 yards behind the line to Jakobi Meyers was a 4-yard gain.
• A pass 3 yards beyond the line of scrimmage to Nelson Agholor gave New England its first first down of the game with less than a minute left in the first quarter. 
• The Patriots finally made a real play when Jones had a clean pocket to step into a 45-yard perfect pass to Agholor that went 39 yards in the air. 
• Patriots scored three plays later on a Montgomery run,

Look, the offense was not good overall. Mac Jones had a tough time finding a rhythm. The blocking was shoddy. By the third possession they were grasping at anything to find success. Credit to them, they made something happen and got something positive from the outing. But let's also be real — for the Patriots' starting offense (yes, with a shuffled offensive line) to struggle that badly against backup Panthers, there's a long ways to go.

Defense dominates with pass rush: The Panthers, minus several starters, did have two drives that totaled almost 100 yards around the end of the first quarter, but the Patriots seemed to always have answers with an energetic pass rush with Josh Uche and Deatrich Wise registering sacks (in the first half). In the first half, we tracked 19 impactful plays by players in the front seven — almost everyone did something. They should do that against the Panthers' backups/young players, but it was a good sign they did. 

Kendrick Bourne a glaring name among the missing: You figured the Patriots would be without players who have been dealing with injuries, like Isaiah Wynn, Hunter Henry, Justin Herron, Bill Murray and Kristian Wilkerson, but not suiting up Trent Brown and Kendrick Bourne was interesting. Brown you could see. He's gotten a ton of reps in camp, he's a veteran. Could probably use a night off — even though an injury to him would be devastating.

Bourne hasn't suffered an injury that we noticed. He has seen his stock drop among the team in the last week. He was losing reps to Tyquan Thornton and Nelson Agholor. He got into a fight on Tuesday and Belichick was all over his case for some reason. He seemed unlike himself talking to the media this week. You have to wonder if the Patriots are thinking of trading him.

Dalton Keene, who has been injured much of camp, did at least dress.

Offensive line shuffle: With Brown, Wynn and Herron all not playing, that meant a shuffle up front on the offensive line. The starting unit: LT Yodny Cajuste (from RT), LG Cole Strange, C David Andrews, RG James Ferentz (from center), RT Mike Onwenu (from RG). 

Matt Patricia calls plays throughout the game: In a move everyone was watching, Patricia called the plays throughout the game. He did double duty with the offensive line in the first half until Billy Yates was on the sidelines in the second half. At times, David Andrews was tutoring the offensive line while Patricia dealt with his other duties.

THREE UP

(These are almost solely off the first half, when the more important players were playing.)

RB Ty Montgomery: Offense found something when he was in the game as he had five touches for 18 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, thought he ran strong and broke a few tackles.

LB Ja'Whaun Bentley: Seemed to be in the backfield a lot with a great play to stuff a screen for a 7-yard loss, and two other impactful plays. He plays faster every year it seems.

LB Raekwon McMillan: He had one poor play on the edge where he got sucked inside, but had him for three impactful plays, including a hurry on third down when the Panthers threw into the end zone, and another QB knockdown. Showed off some of the speed they were hoping to increase at linebacker. 

THREE DOWN

QB Mac Jones: Outside of the throw to Agholor, Jones was all over the place with his throws and even left the pocket with good protection in the red zone. Threw behind DeVante Parker and high to Meyers. The team had to go to safe throws around or behind the line to get him going against backups. Not a good start.

RG James Ferentz: Had to play out of his normal center position due to injuries but gave up a sack and another knockdown. 

QB Bailey Zappe: Seems to be at his best when the play breaks down, but his pick-six was a rookie mistake that can't happen. 

TOP PLAYS

INJURIES

WR Tyquan Thornton (shoulder): Left the game and was ruled out by the team. Not usually a good sign. Patriots are a big questionable status team.

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Big week for the offense coming up in Vegas: Everyone saw where they are tonight, and it's obviously not good enough heading into the final preseason game. They have two joint practices, a game and then they'll have about 10 practices before the season opener at Miami. The Patriots have a lot of work to do before facing the Dolphins, and it needs to start in Vegas. It can't wait until they get back.

Liking Jonathan Jones on the boundary: He tends to get a little grabby and his pass defenses in the end zone was close to pass interference, but Jones gives the Patriots some veteran savvy and sticky coverage on the outside. Will definitely be good to see him get tested by Josh McDaniels with Derek Carr, Devante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, et al.