Rookies stand out as Patriots earn 22-17 preseason win over Titans
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
It was a night of the rookies on Saturday night, as the Patriots’ 2019 class stood out in a number of areas in a 22-17 preseason win over the Titans. The Pats’ newest faces provided the majority of the positives.
Jakobi Mayers continued to make people scratch their heads as to how he went undrafted, catching six passes for 82 yards. Running back Damien Harris out of Alabama led the way on the ground with 14 carries for 80 yards. Defensive end Chase Winovich consistently disrupted things with one sack, two QB hits, five total tackles, and two tackles for loss. Defensive tackle Byron Cowart made plays of his own, including a sack and a tackle for a loss of eight yards.
Quarterback Jarrett Stidham went 14-for-19 (73.7 percent) passing for 193 yards and a touchdown. He was fortunate to escape without an interception, as three glaringly bad throws nearly led to turnovers. But Stidham also engineered an impressive late touchdown drive that put the Patriots on top. It wasn’t a bad night overall for Stidham, but he wasn’t as sharp as his final stats might indicate because the Titans couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.
Starting quarterback Brian Hoyer had a rough go of it on his first series. First he overthrew Inman, then on the next play threw it behind Braxton Berrios and into the hands of cornerback Logan Ryan for an interception.
Notes
— Amid a rash of injuries at wide receiver, the Patriots started Dontrelle Inman and Gunner Olszewski at that position. Their base offense to start the game was in 12 personnel with Harris at running back and tight ends Ben Watson and Andrew Beck.
— Isaiah Wynn started at left tackle, along with Ted Karras, James Ferentz, rookie Hjalte Froholdt, and Dan Skipper rounding out the O-line. One could glean from the starting personnel that the Patriots still expect to start Wynn at LT in Week 1, with Skipper the likely choice as the swing tackle and backup to both Wynn and Marcus Cannon.
— Sixth-year safety Duron Harmon started, a bit of a surprise considering that most of the 2018 regulars did not play. Terrence Brooks was the other starting safety. Other starters on defense included: defensive linemen Deatrich Wise, Danny Shelton, and Cowart; linebackers Shilique Calhoun, Derek Rivers, Ja’Whaun Bentley, and Calvin Munson; and cornerbacks J.C. Jackson and Joejuan Williams.
— Injuries: Calhoun left the game with what appeared to be a foot or ankle injury after getting rolled up late in the first quarter. Rivers also had to leave early with an undisclosed injury.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
