Patriots 20, Vikings 12

 

The question all of New England is wondering this preseason: will the Patriots suck again this year?

Sweat Dissolves Water has the answer and is the one source brave enough to offer a definitive opinion: we don't know. Which is a stark improvement from the past couple of seasons - Bill Belichick's ignominious swan song and the Mac Jones years - when the answer was a definitive "yes." We actually might not suck this season, although no one can be sure of anything anymore.

So far, the Patriots are 2-0 this preseason, which is still only meaningless preseason play but is also a whole lot better than being 0-2. Yesterday, rookie TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) made an 8-yard rushing TD for a First Quarter touchdown, and backup QB Joshua Dobbs went 106 yards, going 11 for 16 and completing a 12-yard TD pass to rookie Efton Chism (Eastern Washington) in the Second. The New England defense kept the Vikings from scoring a touchdown, limiting them to four field goals.  That's certainly an improvement from prior preseasons.

Rays of hope to be sure, but no one's crowning this team champions yet. Next preseason game is against the Giants, who are also 2-0 this preseason.