New England Patriots 17, Carolina Panthers 3
Patriots:
The Patriots gave fans their first look at 2024 No. 3 overall pick, Drake Maye, who entered the game during the second series following veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Maye's debut was brief, consisting of just seven snaps: three runs, three passes, and a false-start penalty. Notably, two of his passes were screens, including a 13-yard completion to running back Antonio Gibson on third-and-12. Maye finished the game with 2 completions on 3 attempts for 19 yards. Head coach Jerod Mayo explained that Maye's limited playing time was due to a desire to have him play behind the top offensive line.
The crowd expressed some disappointment when Maye did not return for a third series, as backup Bailey Zappe took over until late in the third quarter. Rookie Joe Milton III then stepped in to close out the game, adding a spark with a 12-yard scramble, a 13-yard run, and a 38-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver JaQuae Jackson. Another standout was undrafted free agent punt returner David Wallis, who made a strong impression with a 23-yard return that set up the Patriots’ first touchdown of the night.
Panthers:
The Panthers opted to rest 33 players, including almost their entire starting defense, with the exception of cornerback Dane Jackson. Jackson’s presence on the field could suggest that he still needs to prove himself to secure a starting spot, especially as GM Dan Morgan has a history of drafting Jackson back in 2020 with Buffalo and later bringing him to Carolina.
Undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Plummer had a tough outing and didn't pose much of a threat to challenge veteran Andy Dalton for the backup quarterback role, particularly with Dalton sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Plummer was hampered by playing behind a struggling second-team offensive line and suffered from drops by wide receivers Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall Jr., both of whom have otherwise impressed during training camp.
Next Game: Patriots vs. Eagles (7 p.m. ET, Thursday)
Next Game: Panthers vs. Jets (7 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 17)
New York Giants 14, Detroit Lions 3
Giants:
The Giants introduced all their rookies to NFL action, including first-round pick Malik Nabers. The wide receiver, who has been a standout throughout training camp, played 12 snaps, mostly with the second-team offense. Despite running eight routes, Nabers wasn't targeted by backup quarterback Drew Lock, even though he found himself open on multiple occasions.
Starting quarterback Daniel Jones and the first-team offensive line did not play, leading to a quiet night overall for Nabers, who was nonetheless highlighted as the last player introduced during pregame warmups. Unfortunately for Lock, he left the game in the first quarter with a hip injury. Although it didn’t appear serious, the Giants only have three quarterbacks on their roster, making Lock’s health something to watch closely.
Lions:
The Lions opted to rest most of their starters after a week of intense joint practices with the Giants, during which multiple skirmishes broke out. Rookie cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. made their debuts and performed well despite limited action. Arnold, the No. 24 overall pick, played three series before being subbed out, while Rakestraw, a second-round pick, recorded two tackles and made several solid defensive plays.
Second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker saw his first game action since his college days, returning from a torn ACL. Hooker found his rhythm after halftime, completing 5-of-9 passes for 36 yards and adding 34 rushing yards, including a 16-yard run that showcased his mobility. Unfortunately, his night ended prematurely due to a concussion sustained late in the third quarter.
Next Game: Giants at Texans (1 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 17)
Next Game: Lions at Chiefs (4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 17)
