Jones, Pats’ offense show progress
The New England Patriots have been enduring growing pains on offense throughout the preseason as they adjust to a new simplified scheme.
It finally showed some hints of progress.
Mac Jones completed a 45-yard pass to set up a touchdown in his first game action of the preseason, Tristian Vizcaino hit a 51-yard go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter and the host Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 20-10 in a preseason game on Friday night.
On a night when the Panthers paused their quarterback competition between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, New England played Jones for three series. He finished 4 of 8 passing for 61 yards, had a 7-yard scramble and was sacked once.
Patriots assistant Matt Patricia remained the play-caller throughout the game, unlike last week when he shared the duties with Joe Judge. Jones called Patricia “one of the most brilliant people” he’s been around on a football field.
“He’s really starting to get a feel for it,” Jones said. “He’s very easy to talk to on the sideline. Very easy, laid back-type coach but he demands a lot and I respect that about him. Hopefully we can grow for a long time.”
Patriots backup Brian Hoyer played one series in the second quarter before handing it off to rookie Bailey Zappe for the remainder of the game.
Zappe was 16 of 25 for 173 yards and threw an interception to Tae
Hayes that was returned 50 yards for a touchdown.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey had five catches for 71 yards. Nelson Agholor
had two catches for 52 yards and Sam Roberts
added a late fumble recovery for a touchdown.
After suggesting that he could decide his starting quarterback as soon as this week, Panthers coach Matt Rhule sat both Mayfield and Darnold. Third-stringer PJ Walker
started and alternated quarters with rookie Matt Corral. Rhule said he still hasn’t made a decision on a starter for the regular season.
“Not yet,” Rhule said. “Like I said all along, when we know, we know. And we’ll announce something when it’s right.”
Walker was 8 of 15 for 107 yards and two interceptions. Corral finished 9 of 15 for 58 yards. Corral had his foot stepped on late in the fourth quarter and left the stadium in walking boot.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Bills 42, Broncos 15:
Josh Allen needed just six plays to lead the Bills 70 yards for an openingdrive touchdown before taking a seat in his preseason debut, and host Buffalo routed Denver’s backups. Allen completed all three attempts for 45 yards, capped by a 28yard touchdown to Gabe Davis in showing he and new offensive coordinator
Ken Dorsey are on the same page.
Lions 27, Colts 26:
Godwin Igwebuike’s tiebreaking 2-yard run with 4:03 left led Detroit to a victory at Indianapolis. The Colts could have won it with a 2-point conversion but Jack Coan’s pass fell incomplete with 38 seconds left. Detroit quarterbacks David Blough and Tim Boyle split the snaps as Jared Goff took the day off following two joint practices against the Colts.
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