For the first time in the 2023 season, the New England Patriots played most of their projected starters on both offense and defense in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. It resulted in plenty of key performances to spotlight from the game, which was suspended in the fourth quarter after Patriots rookie Isaiah Bolden was carted off the field. (Bolden has been released from the hospital, according to the team.)
Here are 12 Patriots that we graded either “UP” or “DOWN” based on their performance on the field during the game in Green Bay…
UP: WR Kendrick Bourne
What a catch, KB!
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2023
📺: @wbzsports pic.twitter.com/jsqRIQYk0O
Bourne has been gaining momentum in recent weeks. On Thursday night, he turned out to be Mac Jones’ biggest go-to guy.
Bourne caught two passes from Jones on the Patriots’ first offensive drive, on a short field following a fumble recovery, helping set up a Rhamondre Stevenson touchdown run. On the next possession, Bourne made a great block at the second level to spring Stevenson for a 23-yard run.
https://twitter.com/anotherFTBacct/status/1693058107092390078
Bourne saved his best play, however, for last. On what ended up being the final drive for Jones and the starting receiving corps, Bourne reeled in a 17-yard leaping catch from Jones to convert third-and-8. The pair popped on Thursday night, without question.
DeVante Parker has been making more big plays down the field this summer, but Bourne has really picked up steam lately. He and Jones appear to be gelling just in time for the start of a crucial season for both of them.
DOWN: OT Trent Brown
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN: Mac Jones of the New England Patriots throws a pass during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Aug. 19, 2023. (John Fisher/Getty Images)
Brown committed a false start on the Patriots’ first offensive play of the game. Decidedly not what you’re looking for from your starting left tackle. Brown was limited for much of camp to start, so it appears he needs time to really get in sync with the rest of the line.
DOWN: DT Davon Godchaux
Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) breaks a tackle by New England Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (92) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The entire interior of the Patriots defensive line had trouble with the Packers’ run game for much of the time the starters were in. Godchaux got turned aside on multiple runs up the middle. He gets the nod, but Lawrence Guy and Christian Barmore didn’t have a great night in this area either.
UP: WR Demario Douglas
New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas runs after making a catch at 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Two catches for Douglas, both passes from Jones in the first quarter. He got wide open as he made the perfect read in a soft zone, for a 15-yard catch to convert third-and-10. Douglas could really change the conversation about this receiver group if he emerges as a legit option out of the sixth round.
DOWN: OT Sidy Sow
Foxborough, Massachusetts, Aug. 10, 2023: New England Patriots guard Sidy Sow lines up against the Houston Texans during a preseason game at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Sow started at right tackle, which is where he’d been repping in practice. But the rookie struggled run-blocking and allowed a third-down sack on Jones in the first quarter.
He doesn’t seem ready to start at tackle at the NFL level, which isn’t surprising for a rookie who played guard in college. We’ll see if this leads to another change at the right tackle spot.
DOWN: QB Bailey Zappe
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN: Bailey Zappe of the New England Patriots scrambles with the ball during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Aug. 19, 2023. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Zappe did have the touchdown pass to Boutte and ran for a TD in the fourth quarter, but he netted as a “DOWN” in this game. He ended up just 10-of-22 for 117 yards and the touchdown pass, which is only a 77.3 passer rating (Mac Jones posted an 81.7).
Zappe played exclusively with backup receivers, and for several of his dropbacks was not on the same page with them, as multiple throws landed incomplete with no one in the vicinity. Safe to say that he’s not doing nearly enough to create a real “competition” with Jones.
UP: CB Christian Gonzalez
Green Bay, WI, Aug. 19, 2023: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) crosses the goal line in front of New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (19) on a touchdown reception during a preseason game at Lambeau Field. (William Glasheen-USA TODAY Sports)
Gonzalez didn’t have a perfect game, but he gets an “UP” for making four tackles. One of them came on third-and-9 to prevent a first down and force a Green Bay punt.
Tackling – and physical play, in general – are the big questions for the 21-year-old rookie. Saturday night was a pretty good sign for him.
DOWN: OT Andrew Stueber
Green Bay, WI, Aug. 19, 2023: Green Bay Packers linebacker Kingsley Enagbare (55) forces a fumble by New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) during a preseason game at Lambeau Field. (Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)
Stueber got beat for a strip-sack on Jones, the quarterback’s final play of the game. Stueber was slow to react to the loose ball. He looked to have a chance to fall on it if he reacted quicker. Not a great moment for Stueber, whose chances of making the 53-man roster feel slim.
UP: S Jalen Mills
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN: Josiah Deguara of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by Jalen Mills of the New England Patriots during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on Aug. 19, 2023. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Mills made two tackles and appeared to break up a pass over the middle (he was not credited with a pass breakup). He looks poised to make a bigger impact than expected in his return to safety.
DOWN: DL Sam Roberts
Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Jason Lewan (60) keeps quarterback Jordan Love (10) and New England Patriots defensive tackle Sam Roberts (96) apart during a brief scuffle in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Roberts committed two penalties. More notably, he fell on Packers quarterback Jordan Love for a personal foul, then had to be separated from Packers players after a minor dustup. Not what you’re looking for from the second-year pro, whose roster spot is not guaranteed.
