BSJ Game Report: Patriots 20, Vikings 12 - Henderson, Chism, Jennings stand out against Vikings backups

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Vikings in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

WR Efton Chism cements place on roster: If there was any doubt about Efton Chism's place on the Patriots' 53-man roster (there hasn't been for me), that was erased with a huge first half when he caught all six targets for 71 yards and a touchdown when he broke about five tackles.

What continues to impress is Chism's play strength for a player his size. He constantly breaks tackles. I would say his play strength is better than Danny Amendola's, not as good as Julian Edelman or Wes Welker. But it's not far off.

"Doesn't matter how you get here, only thing that matters is what you do when you're here. And I think that's another great example of that," Mike Vrabel said. "Chiz, when given opportunities, has taken advantage of them. And we talked about his play strength last week, and I would say that that continued to be true this week."

Said Drake Maye: "He just keeps on showing up."

TreVeyon Henderson continues to show off: The rookie 4 rushes for 20 yards, including this touchdown where he broke more tackles and got good blocks from Will Campbell and Jack Westover.

Seems like things are up in the air at left guard and center: The Patriots sent out a starting line of LT Campbell, LG Ben Brown, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Mike Onwenu and RT Marcus Bryant. Bradbury seemed to have a really rough outing with a few whiffs against his former team.

Jared Wilson, who did not take part in the second joint practice, did play in this game - but it was with the second unit at left guard, which means he was demoted (although not taking part in the second practice may have led the Patriots to slow things down for him). Wilson later played at center, which was his first real playing time at the position in a few weeks.

Cole Strange later got snaps at left guard and then center.

It's quite possible, after reviewing the film, that the Patriots revisit a competition at center between Bradbury and Wilson, who had some very good run blocks.

It appears Vederian Lowe and Bryant are battling for the swing tackle spot, with the rookie having an edge right now.

WR Kyle Williams leaves with injury: Josh Dobbs had some more ball placement issues in this one, and he put rookie Kyle Williams in a bad spot with a high throw on a slant pass that got Williams drilled. It appeared the Patriots took his helmet (signaling concussion evaluation) before he went to the blue tent and then the locker room.

Vikings didn't play anyone: If you thought the Commanders' lineup was bad, this might have been worse. Not ideal for any evaluations for the Patriots or individuals.

Did not play for Vikings:

LB 0 I.Pace, WR 1 J.Nailor, CB 2 I.Rodgers, WR 3 J.Addison, CB 7 B.Murphy, QB 9 J.McCarthy, OLB 15 D.Turner, WR 18 J.Jefferson, CB 21 J.Okudah, S 22 H.Smith, S 26 T.Jackson, RB 27 J.Mason, FB 30 C.Ham, RB 33 A.Jones, OLB 43 A.Van Ginkel, S 44 J.Metellus, DL 50 L.Rodriguez, LB 51 B.Cashman, LB 55 E.Wilson, OLB 58 J.Greenard, DL 61 J.Redmond, T 67 J.Skule, T 71 C.Darrisaw, OL 74 D.Jackson, T 75 B.O'Neill, G 76 W.Fries, C 78 R.Kelly, TE 84 J.Oliver, WR 85 R.Lewis, TE 86 G.Bartholomew, TE 87 T.Hockenson, DL 93 J.Allen, DL 97 H.Phillips, DL 98 J.Hargrave

Did not play for the Patriots: 

CB 0 C.Gonzalez, WR 1 Ja.Polk, S 5 J.Peppers, WR 8 S.Diggs, LB 15 M.Mapu, RB 26 T.Jennings, CB 30 D.James, RB 38 R.Stevenson, LB 48 J.Tavai, T 76 M.Moses, WR 84 K.Bourne, TE 85 H.Henry, DT 90 C.Barmore

Kyle Dugger finished the game on defense: So did another veteran, Marcus Epps. Yikes.

Dugger had more coverage issues in this one. Made an interception on the final play, but he didn't go down right away and had the ball ripped out. He was ruled down, luckily for him. But another not-smart play by the veteran. 

Anfernee Jennings also played late into the game again.

"I've seen a competitiveness, and Anfernee has been around, and again, we've had really good conversations," Vrabel said. "And you try to draft some guys, and there's some young guys in here, and it's a fine balance. And to his credit, he's done nothing but compete in practice, earn reps, earn opportunities in the game, and take advantage of everyone that he's gotten and he was a factor today and even last week. 

"We only have so many guys. There's guys that didn't travel, there's guys that didn't play, and we have to have 11 out there every play. And so this isn't, this is the third week of our first training camp as a coaching staff and as a team like, that's what I want everybody to realize. This is the third week of our first year, and we have to just, you know, we have to get this right. And everybody you know would just be prepared to play and for however long that you're in there, or whenever you're asked, and help on special teams, somebody's got to protect the punter, somebody's got to go on the field goal unit. Somebody has to be on a kickoff return. Right? That our obligation is we have to protect the guys that have the ball, and then, you know, we have to be able to play and get stops just like we did, and that builds confidence and trust throughout everybody on the team."

FIVE UP

WR Efton Chism: The only lingering question is, can he do this against starters? Hasn't gotten that chance in games (not his or the team's fault).

DE Anfernee Jennings: In what could be a showcase for a trade, unless there are injuries, the veteran defensive end played deep into the game again and he dominated with three sacks.

RB TreVeyon Henderson: We've seen him flash in the pass game, but this was really nice to see him delivering in the run game to show how well-rounded he is.

LT Will Campbell: Didn't see him allow any pressure, and he had a nice block on Henderson's touchdown.

RB JaMychal Hasty: Showed a lot of juice in his legs with 11 touches for 47 yards.

FIVE DOWN

C Garrett Bradbury: Will have to watch the film, but I had him for a hurry and two stuffs in two drives. Not good.

WR Javon Baker: Started out with zero catches on six targets, including two possible drops, and a false start in the red zone well before the play was ready to be run. He finally added a 13-yard catch on a great pass from Ben Wooldridge.

OT Demontrey Jacobs: He was awful again for the second straight game. 

S Kyle Dugger: Was still in the game on the final drive. He had another coverage mistake early, and got away with a mugging in the end zone late in the game.

LS Julian Ashby: Started the game with two high snaps on an extra point, and Andy Borregales' shank from 57 yards. He settled down after that.

INJURIES

WR Kyle Williams: Left the game after a high pass from Josh Dobbs exposed him to a big shot. He appeared to be evaluated for a concussion.

DT Isaiah Iton: Went to the blue tent with a left lower leg injury.

TOP PLAYS

ODDS AND ENDS

• Dugger and Marcus Epps were on the field for the Vikings' final drive. Jennings left one drive earlier.
• Line combinations as the game went on: 
• Campbell, Brown, Bradbury, Onwenu, Bryant
• Bryant, Wilson, Brown, Strange and Lowe
• Bryant, Wilson, Brown, Sow and Lowe
• Lowe, Strange, Wilson, Sow and Jacobs
• Jacobs, Wallace, Lindstrom, L. Robinson, Conley
• LT Jacobs, LG Butler, C Lindstrom, RG Tyrese Robinson, RT Conley
• Maye seemed to have a couple of good checks at the line, but he wasn't great in this one with a bad miss high to Demario Douglas, who was wide open, Maye took an unnecessary shot before throwing the ball away, and he allowed a delay of game.
• Eliot Wolf on Stef Diggs at halftime: "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. That's all part of (head athletic trainer) Jim Whalen's plan for him moving forward."
• Milton Williams had some rough run reps, but brought some pressure.
• UDFA linebacker Cam Riley got a chance with the 2s. That was a promotion.
• Alex Austin had a few nice coverages, but also called for two questionable holding penalties. 
• Jordan Polk did a nice job saving a touchdown on a long kickoff return.