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Preseason game No. 2 has arrived for the New England Patriots as they get ready to face-off against the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite a pair of joint practices with the Vikings on Wednesday and Thursday, the expectation is for quarterback Drake Maye and New England’s healthy starters to again see action. Minnesota, meanwhile, will be without its own starting QB, J.J. McCarthy, who will be kept out of the game after a strong final day of practice.
Follow along with everything down below.
Live Score: Patriots 7 : 0 Vikings
Saturday, August 16, 1 p.m. ET | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | Broadcast Information | Players to watch | Patriots depth chart
First Quarter
The Patriots opened with the football on Saturday with quarterback Drake Maye under center against Minnesota’s second defensive unit. Things got on the move with a first-down completion to Mack Hollins and a pair of runs by Antonio Gibson to move the chains again. A high miss from Maye targeting Douglas and delay of game backed New England up, however, which ultimately led to a punt as Maye’s third-down pass to TreVeyon Henderson was broken up.
With Sam Howell under center, Minnesota kept the ball on the ground on their first drive with five straight runs. Facing a third-and-two, Howell’s pass was broken up by cornerback Carlton Davis in his preseason debut.
New England’s special teams continued their strong summer as a 37-yard punt return by Marcus Jones started the next drive just shy of midfield. With Maye back out for a second series, the quarterback bought time on third-down and worked to his right before finding Mack Hollins along the sideline for a 20-yard completion. Then facing a third-and-10, a draw to Henderson moved the chains and the ball inside the red area. Two Antonio Gibson runs set up a third third-down, where Henderson fought through contact to find the end zone. [Patriots 7 : 0 Vikings]