New England Patriots – Carolina Panthers: 17-3
Ultra-limited playing time for the Patriots' quarterback of the future. Drake Maye (2/3, 19 yards) came in for the second offensive series… and that was it. Seven snaps, including three carries and a penalty. That left him with three passes… including two screen passes. To find out what the third pick of the last Draft is worth, we'll have to wait a bit.
Just before Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett (0/3) also only played one series, also completed by a punt. The two men therefore left the bulk of the work to Bailey Zappe (12/20, 108 yards) and Joe Milton (4/6, 54 yards, 1 TD), the other rookie thrower, who went on to get the victory. The New England attack finished with only 274 yards but the victory in the franchise's first game without Bill Belichick since 1999.
The Panthers rested their starters, and it didn't work for the offense, limited to 151 small yards with Jack Plummer (11/21, 86 yards) at the helm. Abandoned by his line, the undrafted rookie conceded 5 sacks. On defense, New England could also count on the return from injury of Christian Gonzalez (CB), who seemed sharp.
New York Giants – Detroit Lions: 14-3
No starters on the field for this match.
On the New York side, they had to keep an eye on the youngsters. Malik Nabers (WR) played a dozen snaps but didn't catch a ball. It was second-year runner Eric Gray (4 carries, 52 yards, 4 rec, 46 yards) who showed the most advantage offensively. If he is supposed to be Devin Singletary's backup, Gray hit hard with his 98 yards gained in the first half alone, before leaving his place. He was the one who scored his team's two touchdowns.
After starting, Drew Lock (4/10, 17 yards, 1 int) left the game because of hip pain. Brian Daboll assured after the game that he is not suffering from anything serious. Tommy DeVito (8/15, 92 yards) was much better than him.
The curiosity for the Lions was the debut of Hendon Hooker (5/9, 36 yards), quarterback drafted in the third round in 2023 and absent last year because of a knee injury. Entering after the break, he showed his legs (4 carries, 34 yards), but he finished the game with a concussion.
