Patriots build depth in 20-12 preseason win over Vikings

Observations from the Minnesota game highlight quarterback progress, rookie impact, and growing roster depth.

Patriots build depth in 20-12 preseason win against Vikings

In Minneapolis, the Patriots prevailed 20-12 over the Vikings in a game that emphasized depth over drama. Drake Maye played two early drives for New England, following last week’s fumble, and finished 4-of-7 for 46 yards with a long connection to Mack Hollins. He was followed by Joshua Dobbs, who went 11-of-16 for 106 yards with a touchdown, showing steadier distribution under pressure as the offense moved through a longer, more organized drive into halftime. Undrafted rookie Ben Wooldridge later took the field, finishing 7-of-13 for 55 yards, capping a diverse, evaluative offensive showing.

The Patriots leaned on notable young receivers and backs. Efton Chism III, after leading targets last week, caught all six passes for 71 yards and a second-half touchdown, while TreVeyon Henderson continued to flash big-play potential with a second-half score and burst in short-yardage runs. The backfield also featured Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty mixing in, with injuries suspending Rhamondre Stevenson and Terrell Jennings at times. Up front, the line rotated with Campbell at left tackle and a series of shifts across guard and center, testing different combinations while keeping pressure off the quarterback.

Defensively, New England found momentum after halftime. Anfernee Jennings erupted from the edge with multiple sacks, while Kyle Dugger added an interception and a late touchback to seal the game. The secondary, anchored by Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones at corner, plus safety work from Craig Woodson and Jaylinn Hawkins, showed versatility in coverage and run support. Special teams produced a trickle of momentum as Marcus Jones returned a 37-yard punt and Jeremiah Webb added a 59-yard kickoff. A 57-yard field goal by the kicker split by a wide left miss at another attempt underscored the ongoing evaluation of long-range kicking reliability.

This preseason outing doubles as a blueprint for depth assessment. New England gave young players extended looks while rotating the line to identify workable combinations, a sign the coaching staff is prioritizing usable roster pieces over a quick fix. The standout performances from Chism and Henderson suggest the team may lean on a few young playmakers who can grow into bigger roles if the regular season offers opportunity. On defense, the edge pressure from Jennings and the ball-hawking from Dugger provide reassurance that the Patriots can pressure quarterbacks and create takeaway moments in a thinner summer slate. Injuries to Williams and Williams complicate the path to a stable Week 1 roster, but the overall evidence points to a strategy of building a flexible, depth-heavy unit that can adapt to different game scripts. In short, development and scheme fit appear to guide this camp more than the final box score, a sensible approach for a squad still dialing in its identity.

Highlights

The real test starts when the games count, but the depth being built now matters for what comes next.