Patriots show depth and rookie progress in 20-12 win over Vikings

The New England Patriots closed their Minnesota slate with a win that illustrated both their emerging depth and the rough edges still to sharpen. After two joint practices against the Vikings under the eye of a disruptive defense led by Brian Flores, New England rode a handful of big plays and a steady dose of rookie progress to a 20-12 preseason victory, while also revealing ongoing battles that will shape final roster decisions.

The day featured standout moments from several young players who could define the Patriots’ ceiling this season. In the late stages of a two-minute drill, quarterback Drake Maye connected with rookie TreVeyon Henderson for a wheel-route touchdown, a play that underscored Henderson’s burst and Maye’s willingness to push the ball into space. “It’s hard to catch him in the open field,” Maye said afterward, emphasizing the dynamic threat Henderson presents once the ball is in the air. Earlier, Henderson had logged four carries for 20 yards, including an eight-yard scoring run, signaling that the rookie back is capable of contributing as a multi-faceted option.

Undrafted wideout Efton Chism III continued his rapid rise, drawing attention with six receptions...