Patriots can’t get offense cooking in preseason-opening loss to Texans
The opening contest of the Patriots’ 2023 preseason slate did not require face coverings or extra hand sanitizer, as the ‘Bailey Zappe Fever’ that captivated a large and unsuspecting segment of the fanbase a year ago did not come to play, as Zappe’s offense mustered just three points in a 20-9 loss to the Texans at Gillette Stadium.
Given the start with Mac Jones and the rest of the New England starters getting the night off, Zappe went 12-for-14 for 79 yards, but failed to get much of anything for the Patriots despite numerous favorable starting-field positions and in a showdown that was certainly backups-on-backups throughout the majority of the evening.
In fact, the only highlight of the Zappe-led offense Thursday night came early, and with a 27-yard pass to Tyquan Thornton.
Tyquan going 𝗨𝗣!@Humble_Ty19 | #ForeverNE
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 10, 2023
📺: @wbzsports pic.twitter.com/UAdXf5lRd4
Thornton, who has not had the greatest of starts to his training camp (and after what was by all means a lost rookie campaign), needed that catch more than anybody suiting up at the wideout position for the Patriots. It’s also worth noting that Thornton spent the majority of his night going up against a starting-quality cornerback in the Texans’ Steven Nelson.
But beyond that, it was an absolute slog of a night from the Patriots’ second-tier options. And with the offensive undoubtedly hampered by a thin offensive line — and those struggles certainly failed to provide any relief for the New England passing game or ability to turn to the run game for some meaningful gains — there was little to celebrate whenever the offense was at work.
From the @JimLouth stat department: Outside of that 27-yard Tyquan Thornton catch, the Patriots' offense has 62 yards in 34 plays tonight.
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) August 11, 2023
With Zappe done for the night in the third quarter, Trace McSorley entered the game for the Patriots, and complete just one completion for four yards on three passing attempts. McSorley also added one three-yard rush in his showing.
Fourth-string quarterback (and potential wide receiving option) Malik Cunningham also got some second-half run at the position, and was inches away from what would’ve been a tremendous touchdown connection with Tre Nixon on a third-down look with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of action.
Cunningham also led a strong finish to an otherwise nothing night for the offense, with the highlight of the night coming on an 18-play, 75-yard drive capped by Cunningham’s nine-yard scramble into the endzone.
Overall, Cunningham finished 3-for-4 and 19 yards in the passing game, along with 34 yards and a score on five carries.
.@MalikMalikc10 breaking ankles.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 11, 2023
📺: @wbzsports pic.twitter.com/kIMDON1Pe8
And though the offense failed to get their game cooking, the Patriots had more than a few strong looks from their defense.
The night started with a bang by way of a Jalen Mills interception, while the true thump of the night came with rookie Keion White absolutely oblittering Houston running back Dare Ogunbowale on the way to a turnover recovered by the Patriots.
Ouch pic.twitter.com/GL64ZH7KYE
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) August 10, 2023
In addition to the bone-jarring hit on Ogunbowale, White also came through with a hit on Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, and was a near-constant disruption and headache for Houston’s offensive line.
Elsewhere on defense, 2023 first-round pick Christian Gonzalez finished his night with three tackles and a forced fumble.
The Patriots will return to game action Saturday, Aug. 19 against the Packers.
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Patriots Ups & Downs: Who made the most of their opportunities in the preseason opener
UP: DL Daniel Ekuale
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale (95) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Ekuale, competing for a backup defensive tackle role, was one of the first players to pop in this game. He had an early sack, would have had another if not for a penalty called against Anfernee Jennings, and added another run stuff. For now it looks like Ekuale is picking up where he left off last year when he filled in for Christian Barmore.
DOWN: OT Conor McDermott
Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Conor McDermott (75) works with a weight bag during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Look, the entire offensive line collectively could get its own down spot. That being said, we’ll focus on individual players who stood out as particularly having bad games.
The first such player is McDermott, who is believed to be competing with Riley Reiff (who did not play in this game) for the starting right tackle job. McDermott got beat multiple times around the edge, and was called for a false start in this game. He started the game at left tackle – a spot he hadn’t played all of camp – before moving to right tackle for some time in the second half.
DOWN: RB Pierre Strong
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr. (35) ru8ns after the catch with Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) in tow during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Like the offensive line, the Patriots’ running backs could be a collective ‘down’ on Thursday night. Again though, we’ll focus on specifics.
With the offensive line struggling, the lack of production from the running backs should come with a grain of salt. Still, there were a couple of moments in the passing game where Strong tried to do too much, lost his footing, and ended up limiting himself on the play. That includes a designed third-down swing pass that would have set Strong up with room to run had he not stumbled going into his route and caused Bailey Zappe to hold the ball a beat too long.
DOWN: OL Sidy Sow
New England Patriots tackle Sidy Sow (54) works with the tackling sled during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
The next rookie on our list, Sow got run around multiple times as a pass blocker on Thursday night. There’s still a way to go for Sow, who is working on making the change from guard to tackle.
UP: LB Anfernee Jennings
New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) walks onto the field for practice at 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Katie Bennert/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Take away a ticky-tack roughing the passer call, and Jennings played a really solid game while he was in during the first half. He had multiple QB pressures playing as the strong-side edge rusher, a job that could be up for grabs right now.
DOWN: CB Rodney Randle
Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Rodney Randle Jr. (39) works out at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Numerous times, Randle’s coverage assignments were left wide open in the middle of the field. The big, physical corner had trouble keeping up with some of the Texans’ smaller, shiftier wide receivers.
UP: WR Kayshon Boutte
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (58) makes a catch during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Look, it was a tough night to evaluate wide receiver play. Quarterbacks rarely had enough time to lets receivers finish their route patterns, never mind find them downfield.
That being said, Kayshon Boutte did get himself open somewhat regularly. Often Bailey Zappe was already running away from pressure by the time he did, but it’s still a good individual sign for Boutte.
DOWN: OL Chasen Hines
Aug 11, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Chasen Hines (63) warms up before a preseason game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Hines was another Patriots offensive lineman that had a rough night. He got bowled over at times run blocking, which in part led to the Patriots’ issues on the ground.
DOWN: LB Diego Fagot
Diego Fagot takes the field for the New England Patriots before practice during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (98.5 The Sports Hub)
Fagot is already facing an uphill battle for a roster spot, and didn’t help his case on Thursday night when he got called for a neutral zone infraction on a 4th & 1 that turned a would-be Texans punt into a first down. Those kinds of miscues aren’t going to help his standing with Bill Belichick.
