Pro Sports

Jones helps Patriots beat Panthers 20-10 in preseason game

Posted August 20, 2022 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

New England Patriots wide receiver Tre Nixon, behind, can't make the reception as Carolina Panthers cornerback Tae Hayes (32) defends during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Mac Jones completed a 45-yard pass to set up a touchdown in his first preseason action, Tristian Vizcaino hit a 51-yard go-ahead field goal and the New England Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 20-10 in a preseason game Friday night.

On a night when the Panthers (1-1) paused their quarterback competition between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, New England (1-1) played Jones for three series. He was 4 of 8 for 61 yards, had a 7-yard scramble and was sacked once.

Patriots backup Brian Hoyer played one series in the second quarter before handing it off to rookie Bailey Zappe for the remainder of the game.

Zappe was 16 of 25 for 173 yards and threw an interception to Tae Hayes that was returned 50 yards for a touchdown.

Lil'Jordan Humphrey had five catches for 71 yards. Nelson Agholor had two catches for 52 yards and Sam Roberts added a late fumble recovery for a touchdown.

After suggesting that he could decide his starting quarterback as soon as this week, Panthers coach Matt Rhule sat both Mayfield and Darnold. Third stringer P.J. Walker started and alternated quarters with rookie Matt Corral.

Walker was 8 of 15 for 107 yards and two interceptions. Corral finished 9 of 15 for 58 yards.

PACKERS 20, SAINTS 10

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - Jordan Love and rookie fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs connected on a touchdown pass for the second straight week to help Green Bay beat New Orleans.

Danny Etling scored for the Packers (1-1) on a 51-yard keeper.

Ian Book played the whole game for New Orleans (0-2) , going 16 of 28 for 113 yards and running for 49 yards on seven carries. First-round draft pick Chris Olave caught a 20-yard TD pass.

TEXANS 24, RAMS 20

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) - Davis Mills threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins with 1 second left in the first half and Houston beat Los Angeles.

Mills' accuracy was spotty before he picked up 50 of his 96 yards passing on his final two throws.

Mason Schreck caught an 8-yard touchdown pass with 1:05 left from third-string quarterback Jeff Driskel, who has kept the Texans unbeaten in the preseason with a late TD drive in both games. Mills finished 10 of 17, while Collins had four catches for 48 yards.

Roger Carter Jr. scooped and scored for the Rams (1-1) on a fumbled punt return in the third quarter, and Trey Ragas rushed 7 yards for a go-ahead TD with 5:11 to play.

John Wolford passed for 142 yards for the Super Bowl champions despite getting sacked five times in the first half. Bryce Perkins played the second half for LA, going 11 of 13 for 124 yards.

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New England Patriots defensive tackle Sam Roberts (96) celebrates his touchdown after he recovered a fumble by Carolina Panthers quarterback PJ Walker in the end zone during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, center, greets Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule on the field following a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

Carolina Panthers cornerback Kalon Barnes (35) brings down New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

Carolina Panthers cornerback Tae Hayes, left, celebrates with defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon, center, and safety Kenny Robinson, right, after his touchdown on an interception during the second half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

Green Bay Packers quarterback Danny Etling (19) carries on a long touchdown carry during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 20-10. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) The Associated Press

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kirk Merritt (85) tries to pull in a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Kiondre Thomas during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) The Associated Press

New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book (16) carries for a long gain during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) The Associated Press

New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book (16) passes during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) The Associated Press

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