August 09, 2019 at 12:01PM
With most of the Patriots' brand name stars relegated to cheerleader roles, many of New England's less-heralded members of the preseason roster made the most of their opportunities as New England barreled over the Lions, 31-3 In the first preseason game of the season, Thursday in Detroit.
Without Tom Brady, Julian Edelman and Sony Michel among others, the Patriots offense still moved the ball effectively. Highlighted by undrafted free agent Jakobi Meyers' six catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns, 13 different New England players caught at least one pass.
The Patriots defense was equally effective as it held the Lions, who were also sitting would-be impact players, to 94 yards of offense and just eight first downs. Led by Derek Rivers (two sacks and rookie Chase Winovich (1.5), New England sacked Lions quarterbacks nine times.
New England got going on their second drive. Set up by a nice sideline tiptoeing punt return by Braxton Berrios, veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer hit Matt LaCosse over the middle for a 24-yard completion to start the 47-yard touchdown drive and capped it with a TD pass to Maurice Harris that made it 7-0.
Meyers followed up his training camp buzz with a preseason touchdown that made it 14-0 with 8:38 left in the second quarter.
Hoyer, who was 12-for-14 for 147 yards and two touchdowns, gave way to rookie Jarret Stidham after the second scoring drive. Stidham's first work in a Patriots uniform came on a short field thanks to an interception by John Simon.
Meyers looked good no matter who was throwing the ball. Stidham (14-for-24, 179 yards, one TD, no interceptions) found him open for Meyers' second touchdown of the day, from 5 yards out with 4:33 left in the half.
Nick Brossette, a long shot to make the roster at running back, helped himself with 1-yard TD push followed by a catch on the 2-point conversion that made it 28-0.
AP
New England Patriots running back Nick Brossette (42) jumps over offensive tackle Cedrick Lang (77) during the second half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Rookie receiver N'Keal Harry and free agent tight end signee Matt LaCosse each left with apparent leg injuries. Harry limped to the sideline after a nice leaping catch over a defender. He had two catches for 36 yards before going down.
With most of the Patriots' brand name stars relegated to cheerleader roles, many of New England's less-heralded members of the preseason roster made the most of their opportunities as New England barreled over the Lions, 31-3 In the first preseason game of the season, Thursday in Detroit.
Without Tom Brady, Julian Edelman and Sony Michel among others, the Patriots offense still moved the ball effectively. Highlighted by undrafted free agent Jakobi Meyers' six catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns, 13 different New England players caught at least one pass.
The Patriots defense was equally effective as it held the Lions, who were also sitting would-be impact players, to 94 yards of offense and just eight first downs. Led by Derek Rivers (two sacks and rookie Chase Winovich (1.5), New England sacked Lions quarterbacks nine times.
New England got going on their second drive. Set up by a nice sideline tiptoeing punt return by Braxton Berrios, veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer hit Matt LaCosse over the middle for a 24-yard completion to start the 47-yard touchdown drive and capped it with a TD pass to Maurice Harris that made it 7-0.
Meyers followed up his training camp buzz with a preseason touchdown that made it 14-0 with 8:38 left in the second quarter.
Hoyer, who was 12-for-14 for 147 yards and two touchdowns, gave way to rookie Jarret Stidham after the second scoring drive. Stidham's first work in a Patriots uniform came on a short field thanks to an interception by John Simon.
Meyers looked good no matter who was throwing the ball. Stidham (14-for-24, 179 yards, one TD, no interceptions) found him open for Meyers' second touchdown of the day, from 5 yards out with 4:33 left in the half.
Nick Brossette, a long shot to make the roster at running back, helped himself with 1-yard TD push followed by a catch on the 2-point conversion that made it 28-0.
AP
New England Patriots running back Nick Brossette (42) jumps over offensive tackle Cedrick Lang (77) during the second half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Rookie receiver N'Keal Harry and free agent tight end signee Matt LaCosse each left with apparent leg injuries. Harry limped to the sideline after a nice leaping catch over a defender. He had two catches for 36 yards before going down.