Patriots vs Panthers: Score, Stats & Highlights

The Patriots and Panthers meet tonight in Charlotte to play the all-important third preseason game, which serves as the most realistic tuneup for the regular-season opener.

It’s highly unlikely Mayo, or any of the other veteran starters, will play in the exhibition finale against the Giants (even a cameo would be a surprise) but it’s clear from his work Friday night, he’s ready for the real games to begin. Normally, Garoppolo would play less in the first two preseason games and go all out here. A lovely fade to tight end Scott Chandler capped off the drive.

He was sacked once, threw a pair of interceptions (including one that was more of a fumble than a pick), almost stumbled into the ground trying to make a tackle after one of the interceptions and didn’t seem to be on the same page with any of his receivers. You could rattle off the excuses, if you wanted. But with three rookies in the interior offensive line, no Julian Edelman, No Rob Gronkowski or Brandon LaFell, the offense is hardly playing with a full complement of weapons. The rosters were made up-to-date, with Reggie Wayne signed to the Pats, LeGarrette Blount out due to suspension, and Steelers without Le’Veon Bell for the same reason. I mean I’ve coached him in the Pro Bowl and all that.

James DevelinDealing with injuries is a necessary evil in football, and unfortunately for fullback James Develin, he’s in that situation after Friday night. He exited at halftime, finishing 7 of 13 for 84 yards.

The Pats began with a three-and-out, and on the first play of the second possession no one blocked Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy, who swallowed Brady up from behind. But that drive ended with a three-and-out. Brady hit Michael Hoomanawanui for a 6-yard gain and then took off, picking up 9 yards for the Patriots’ first, first down. Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo actually ended up being tied for second on the team with 18 rushing yards apiece.

Two plays later, Brady threw the best pass of the night, again to Chandler.

Bearing in mind that the Patriots have yet to resolve the issue on the “Deflategate” scandal that has NFL quarterback Tom Brady battling it out with Roger Goodell, the fact that the Carolina Panthers have a very healthy and focused Cam Newton in the roster makes the latter NFL team formidable opponents.

Brady’s other interception came when he fired over the middle in traffic and safety Kurt Coleman stepped in front of the pass. He also ran for 38 yards, including two third-down scrambles that kept scoring drives alive. Viewers will get to see New England at Carolina thanks to NFL live streaming online and televised coverage from various sources on Friday evening.

These preseason woes aren’t all Brady’s fault, of course.

The Panthers, who had to settle for a pair of Graham Gano field goals in the first half, took a 16-7 lead into the fourth quarter.

Brady’s night was done at that point, and so it ended on a high note, just as George Costanza would have liked it. Brandon Wegher had 24 yards and two touchdowns in 6 attempts for the Panthers. After taking a shotgun snap, he lofted a ideal fade to the tight end down the left sideline, who was covered by one of the better linebackers in the league in Thomas Davis.