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Mon, Aug 21, 2023, 11:56 AM EDT4 min read
A week-long trip to Wisconsin reached a crescendo for
the New England Patriots in Saturday’s preseason game against
the Green Bay Packers.
The game was ultimately cut short early in the fourth quarter
after a horrific head injury suffered by Patriots rookie cornerback Isaiah
Bolden. Fortunately, Bolden was able to fly back home with the team after
spending the night in the hospital and appears to be in good spirits.
As for the game itself, it was a positive showing from the
Patriots with up and down moments. The offense showed signs of life, but the
offensive line looked like a mess at times.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots got gashed on
the ground for 119 yards and a touchdown, but they had multiple players step up
on the backend against the Packers’ passing attack.
Today, we’re taking a look at the best and worst Pro
Football Focus grades in the game for the Patriots. This is simply a
measure of performance with limited reps in one game. It isn’t the
be-all-end-all evaluation for players. So please take it with a grain of salt.
Top 5 offense
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson: 83.1
- WR Demario Douglas: 81.8
- WR Kayshon Boutte: 80.6
- WR Kendrick Bourne: 79.0
- OL Riley
Reiff: 73.3
The rookie wide receivers made their mark in this game. For all
of the talk of coach Bill Belichick’s drafting struggles, he seems to have
finally hit on a pair of talented wideouts in the sixth-round of the 2023 NFL
draft.
Demario Douglas gets separation and has the shiftiness to turn
short plays into big ones. Meanwhile, Boutte has been a reliable receiving
target with the sort of speed that can turn the lights out on a defense in the
open field.
It might be smart for the Patriots to keep both receivers on the
53-man roster, even if it means keeping six players at the skilled position.
