PATRIOTS AND PANTHERS MEET IN PRESEASON FOR FOURTH TIME IN FIVE YEARS
The Patriots and the Panthers met in the preseason for the fourth time (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018) in the last five preseasons. This game marked the third straight preseason game played in Carolina (2015, 2016 and 2018).Â
CYRUS JONES MAKES PRESEASON DEBUT
CB Cyrus Jones made his 2018 preseason debut. Jones missed the entire 2017 season due to an injury suffered in the preseason last year. He lined up as a returner and also saw action on defense. He returned three kicks for 38 yards.Â
DB JONATHAN JONES MAKES HIS PRESEASON DEBUT
DB Jonathan Jones made his 2018 preseason debut. Jones was placed on injured reserve last season following an injury that he suffered in the AFC Divisional game vs. Tennessee on Jan. 13, 2018.Â
KEIONTA DAVIS IN THE STARTING LINEUP FOR SECOND STRAIGHT GAME
DL Keionta Davis made his second straight start at left end. He started the previous preseason game vs Philadelphia on Aug. 16.Â
WR CORDARRELLE PATTERSON LINED UP AS A RETURNER FOR FIRST TIME WITH THE PATRIOTS
WR Cordarrelle Patterson, who went two Pro Bowls as a returner (2013 and 2016), lined up to return kicks for the first time with the Patriots. He also lined up for a punt return in the second quarter.Â
TE ROB GRONKOWSKI MAKES 2018 PRESEASON DEBUT
TE Rob Gronkowski made his 2018 preseason debut after not seeing action in the first two preseason games.Â
QB TOM BRADY STARTS AND PLAYS ENTIRE FIRST HALF
QB Tom Brady started the game and played the entire first half, finishing 12-of-18 for 102 yards.Â
FB JAMES DEVELIN HAD A 13-YARD KICKOFF RETURN
FB James Develin had a 13-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. He has returned three kicks for 35 yards during his career, all during the 2016 season.Â
K STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI DRILLS A 52-YARD FIELD GOAL IN THE FOURTH QUARTER
K Stephen Gostkowski connected on a 52-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. He has the most 50-yard field goals in New England history with 23. He was 4-for-4 from 50 or more yards in 2017.
