Patriots beat Vikings 20-12 as rookies Henderson and Chism each record another preseason TD

Published On: August 18, 2025

Written by AP Pro Football Writer Dave Campbell

AP/MINNEAPOLIS TreVeyon Henderson and Efton Chism III, both rookies in New England, each scored another preseason touchdown as the Patriots defeated the Minnesota Vikings 20–12 on Saturday.

During a two-drive stint for the first-team offense, Henderson, a second-round draft pick from national champion Ohio State who has been drawing attention in training camp and is headed for a key backfield role, carried for 20 yards with an 8-yard score on four runs. Last week, Henderson returned a 100-yard kickoff for a touchdown.

According to Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, “guys were finishing and gave him a little grease, and he runs hard and protects the ball.” He locates it, and you don’t need much.

Stefon Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who is recuperating from an ACL tear in his right knee sustained halfway through his one season with the Houston Texans, was among the few predicted starters who Vrabel left out.

Against a Vikings defense that was all backups, second-year quarterback Drake Maye started and went 4 for 7 for 46 yards, including an overthrow that was almost intercepted but was dropped by Tavierre Thomas.

Chism’s six receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs provided yet another strong argument for a spot on the regular-season roster. He broke six tackle attempts as he twisted and muscled his way into the end zone after catching a short toss from the 12 on third-and-nine.

“I think the biggest thing he’s shown is that he wants it,” Maye remarked. I believe it’s helping him.

The Patriots (2-0) may only have one slot available for a wide receiver because Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and veterans Mack Hollins and Kendrick Bourne are all guaranteed spots on the roster. Chism will undoubtedly receive a lot of attention because he was an undrafted FCS athlete from Eastern Washington. Last week, he caught a 12-yard touchdown pass.

“How you get here doesn’t matter,” Vrabel said. That, in my opinion, is just another excellent illustration of the fact that what you do while you’re here is all that matters.

This week’s two days of combined practices gave the two teams plenty of opportunity to test their players in controlled situational exercises, and Vikings coach Kevin O. Connell was more than happy with the results. Minnesota (1-1) had no expected starters on either side of the ball on the field, and a number of important backups who are certain to make the squad were also given the afternoon off.

Sam Howell began, while new quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who guided one 12-play drive last week, wore an earpiece on the sideline. Howell was 1 for 5 with an interception he forced off his back foot under pressure. Howell was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in April after the veteran backup market dried up.

In the second quarter, Brett Rypien was 7 for 11 for 83 yards. Max Brosmer, an undrafted rookie who has been the best backup in camp, played the whole second half and finished 15 for 27 for 156 yards. On the final play of the game, Kyle Dugger tipped and intercepted his final throw from the 13-yard line in the end zone.

“We’re playing all three of them for a reason,” O Connell stated. In terms of the competition as a whole, I believe I would just state that it’s still open and that we’re working to determine how that room will appear this season.

Dugger has made 65 starts in five seasons, but as the Patriots adopt a new scheme under Vrabel, he has been demoted to the second team. Surrounded by rookies vying for a spot on the squad, outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, another incumbent starter, joined Dugger with significant playing time in the second half. There were three sacks on Jennings.

Ben Brown started at left guard while Cole Strange, a 2022 first-round draft pick and another first-team player who has fallen behind, played with reserves.

On Thursday, the Vikings play the Tennessee Titans, and the Patriots conclude the preseason against the New York Giants.

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