What we learned: Best and worst from Patriots' preseason win vs. Vikings

The future looks bright for two Patriots rookies after a 20-12 preseason win over the Vikings.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Efton Chism both got into the end zone for second straight week in another Patriots preseason victory.

Henderson got the scoring started on the Patriots’ second drive when he showed off his elite speed and deceptive play strength on an 8-yard touchdown run.

The Patriots’ next two drives ended with a turnover on downs and a missed 57-yard field goal from rookie Andres Borregales. But Chism gave the Patriots a 14-0 lead on a 12-yard touchdown catch and run in which he broke multiple tackles from Vikings defenders.

The Vikings cut the Patriots’ lead to 14-3 with a field goal before the half.

The Patriots and Vikings exchanged field goals in the second half to extend the score to 20-12.

Here’s everything we learned in the Patriots’ win.

BEST

RB Treveyon Henderson

Henderson will be a major part of the Patriots’ offense this season. He carried the ball four times for 20 yards with the 8-yard score. Another highlight play was an 11-yard run up the middle of the Vikings’ defense after quarterback Drake Maye audibled on third-and-10 for a first down.

The WBZ broadcast passed along that Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores said his team was “blown away” by Henderson in joint practices.

WR Efton Chism

The undrafted wide receiver out of Eastern Washington caught six passes on six targets for 71 yards in the second quarter alone. Head coach Mike Vrabel told the WBZ broadcast coming out of halftime that Chism’s play strength stands out.

It’s safe to put Chism on the 53-man roster at this point. It’s time to start seeing him get more reps with Maye.

CB Carlton Davis III

The Patriots played it safe with Davis this summer, but he made his preseason debut on Saturday afternoon. He immediately showed off his length with a pass breakup in the first defensive drive.

Return teams

It’s been a fantastic summer for special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer, and that continued Saturday when we saw Marcus Jones return a punt 37 yards and rookie Jeremiah Webb bring back a kick 60 yards. Last week, Henderson and Antonio Gibson both had long kick returns.

The Patriots did let up an 82-yard kick return late in the fourth quarter.

OLB Anfernee Jennings

The veteran edge defender, a favorite of former head coach Bill Belichick, isn’t a great fit in the current defense and is buried on the depth chart, but he continues to practice and play hard. He sacked Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer twice in the third quarter and again early in the fourth quarter. His second sack was split with undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder, who has been a training camp standout.

WORST

Kickers

Rookie Andrews had a tough assignment on a 57-yard field-goal attempt, but he wasn’t even close, shanking the ball to the left short and wide. He later made up for it with a 51-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Borregales’ competition, Parker Romo, was penalized for not placing a kickoff in the landing zone.

Romo nailed a 57-yard field goal in last week’s preseason game. Romo hit a 28-yarder against the Vikings while Borregales also made two extra points.

OT Demontrey Jacobs

Jacobs came into training camp as the Patriots’ top swing tackle. He’s now behind backups Marcus Bryant and Vederian Lowe, as well as starters Will Campbell and Morgan Moses. He let up a QB hit to the Vikings defense with Joshua Dobbs at quarterback and another pressure in the third quarter with Ben Wooldridge at QB. He continued playing into the fourth quarter, which isn’t a great sign.

WR Javon Baker

Baker practices well, but he has yet to consistently show up in game action. On Saturday, Baker was targeted seven times with one 13-yard catch and two drops. He redeemed himself by making a nice contested catch in the fourth quarter. He was also flagged for a false start.

What else we learned

— Maye was 4 of 7 for 46 yards in two series. He did have a turnover-worthy play when he threw high to wide receiver DeMario Douglas. It should have been intercepted by Vikings Tavierre Thomas, but he dropped the ball.

— Impressive day for wide receiver Mack Hollins, who’s pushing for a starting spot. He caught three passes for 38 yards in the first quarter.

— Ben Brown replaced rookie Jared Wilson as the Patriots’ starting left guard. Brown didn’t do anything to give up that spot in his start. Wilson did allow a pressure early before settling down.

— Wilson received his first snaps at center since the first week of training camp. Perhaps we could start to see him push Garrett Bradbury for the top job.

— Cornerback Alex Austin was flagged twice for illegal contact but at least one of those seemed a bit ticky tack. Austin was tight in coverage and is making a push for more snaps this season as he continues to flash out of the slot.

— Defensive tackle Isaiah Iton appeared to suffer an injury early in the second half. He’s been a depth chart riser and made an impressive run stuff in the first half.

— Rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams also left the game with an injury and didn’t return.

— Even with Jabrill Peppers sitting out, Kyle Dugger still didn’t see a start. Instead, it was Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson with the first-team defense. Dugger, like Jennings, played deep into the fourth quarter, finishing the game on defense. Dugger had a game-clinching interception but nearly fumbled in the end zone for a Vikings TD.

— It was a positive performance for backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who struggled in Wednesday’s joint practice but was one of the Patriots’ better players in Thursday’s session. He went 11 of 16 for 106 yards with a touchdown.

— Third-string QB Ben Wooldridge was just 7 of 13 for 55 yards. The Patriots didn’t turn the ball over in Saturday’s game.

— Undrafted cornerback Brandon Crossley pulled a Charles Tillman with a “Peanut Punchout” to force a fumble on the Vikings’ final drive. He wasn’t the only UDFA cornerback making plays. Jordan Polk, a slot corner, also had a sack.