Closing ideas from the Patriots’ preseason finale loss to the Titans

It was swelteringly sizzling in Nashville Friday evening, with temperatures nearing 100 levels at kickoff.

However, the Patriots’ offense was unable to warmth up in a 23-7 loss to the Titans.

New England mustered one purple zone landing run from Kevin Harris for its solely rating of the evening.

Bailey Zappe had a brutal exhibiting, fumbling the ball thrice and going 8 for 15 passing for 57 yards. Pierre Sturdy averaged extra yards per carry than Zappe did per completion.

Calvin Munson and Joe Giles-Harris stood out on the defensive finish, every recording an interception and mixing for 19 tackles.

Listed here are a couple of ultimate ideas from the motion:

An prolonged have a look at Jack Jones

Jack Jones received loads of reps Friday evening.

He performed just about all the first half, which is a little bit of an eyebrow-raiser contemplating his potential position within the Patriots’ secondary.

With Jonathan Jones recovering from an undisclosed harm and Christian Gonzalez stepping in as a rookie, Jack Jones seems as if he could be in place to make some begins at cornerback this season.

Nevertheless, with an ongoing authorized scenario that would throw his availability into query through the regular-season, the Patriots didn’t appear to have a lot of a problem trotting him on the market in a sport the place a lot of the starters sat.

Jones didn’t have his greatest sport, both. He was whistled for go interference and received beat for a 30-yard catch.

Bailey Zappe had his worst exhibiting in a Patriots uniform

Friday evening’s efficiency was simply the worst Zappe has appeared throughout his time in New England.

It wasn’t totally his fault. He was enjoying behind a shoddy offensive line that gave up six sacks. Zappe gave the impression to be operating for his life on the market at instances with the shortage of safety.

Right here’s the place the blame does fall on him, although. He’s received to guard the ball higher. Even when there’s heavy penetration within the Patriots backfield, a quarterback merely can’t fumble the ball thrice.

Zappe was visibly pissed off on the sidelines, and TV cameras confirmed offensive coordinator Invoice O’Brien chewing him out. A tough evening, for positive.

One other harm for an already skinny offensive line

Offensive guard Riley Reiff left the sport with an obvious leg harm. He walked off the sector beneath his personal energy and headed to the locker room.

The Patriots’ offensive line has been an enormous subject all through the preseason. The unit has gotten extra wholesome in current weeks, but it surely’s nonetheless removed from full energy.

Mike Onwenu returned to follow this week after starting coaching camp on the bodily unable-to-perform checklist. Trent Brown has been working his method again after coping with an harm as nicely.

However there isn’t a lot room for extra accidents up entrance.

Calvin Munson makes an impression

Veteran linebacker Calvin Munson, who had 60 tackles with the Giants in 2017, made his presence felt for the Patriots on Friday.

He led the workforce with 10 tackles, however the play that stood out essentially the most was a diving interception that Patriots coloration commentator Scott Zolak in comparison with Franco Harris’s “Immaculate Reception.”

Total, the previous Miami Dolphin made a constructive impression in his newest alternative to struggle for a roster spot.

No Demario Douglas, and little or no Kayshon Boutte

Rookie receiver Demario Douglas didn’t play in any respect on Friday evening, a constructive indication for his bid to make the 53-man roster.

Kayshon Boutte’s enjoying time was additionally restricted to only a few snaps.

The Patriots did play rookie Malik Cunningham. Cunningham went 0-for-2 as a passer. He recorded a catch, but it surely was for a loss on the play.

Cunningham, who has tried to change from quarterback to receiver throughout camp, nonetheless has a protracted solution to go as he develops in his new place. His athleticism is intriguing, however production-wise he doesn’t look prepared as a receiver.