Developing Stories From the Patriots' Preseason Opener

Photo via Paul Rutherford (USA Today Sports)

Preseason games never count toward a team's record, but they do go a long way in determining how the roster will shape up. Here are some takeaways for the Patriots' opening game, a 26-17 win over the Redskins.

Top players played more than usual

It's hard to say what that means, but many of the starters and role players were in the game for a while. Unlike most preseason contests, the second half wasn't filled with players who won't make the team.

The starting and rotational contributors along the offensive and defensive lines played into the second half. In particular, LaAdrian Waddle started at right tackle (with Marcus Cannon out), and then moved to left tackle later in the game.

Jeremy Hill bested Mike Gillislee

With Rex Burkhead, James White, Sony Michel and (most likely) Brandon Bolden entrenched on the roster, there may only be one running back spot up for grabs, with these two veterans getting the first crack at winning it.

Here are their stat lines from Thursday night.

Hill: 11 carries for 51 yards (4.6 average), 1 TD, 2 catches for 14 yards

Gillislee: 14 carries for 43 yards (3.1 average)

That alone favors Hill, but he also appeared to be the much better-rounded player. While he was used as a physical back in Cincinnati, he looked rather shifty and elusive. Most importantly, he didn't fumble.

Also worth noting, rookie Ralph Webb ran for 46 yards and two touchdowns, while also cashing in twice on two-point conversions.

The starters struggled

It's still the preseason, so don't read too much into this, but there's no nicer way of putting it. The Redskins jumped ahead, 17-0, and the Patriots didn't score until they kicked a field goal in the waning seconds of the first half. Brian Hoyer and the offense didn't get going until the second half, and the defense left a lot to be desired (although Trey Flowers and the McCourty brothers didn't play).

The wide receivers get an "incomplete" evaluation

Wideouts combined to record only seven receptions, and four of those went to Devin Lucien. The current top three (Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett) were shut out. Hogan also "dropped" (used loosely) two passes and committed a pass interference penalty.

The only thing that should be considered (outside of Hogan's struggles, to an extent) is the pecking order and who was in the game when. The aforementioned trio started the game, Eric Decker appeared to be one of the next in line, and Cordarelle Patterson didn't make much of an appearance until the fourth quarter (alongside the likes of Braxton Berrios and Riley McCarron). Kenny Britt didn't play, as he's still on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

So does Danny Etling

Brian Hoyer started the game, which isn't surprising. However, he played until the midway point in the fourth quarter, before giving way to Etling. Even when the rookie entered the game, the Patriots were committed to running the ball. All told, the rookie only threw five passes, completing two of them for 21 yards.

The return game didn't play out as expected

Patterson never checked into the game for a kick nor punt return. Instead, Berrios and McCarron split the duties. That may have been to preserve the veteran, but it was still an unexpected development.

On to Carolina

The next chance, outside of practice, to see how things are playing out will be when the Patriots will face off against the Eagles a week from Thursday at 7:30 p.m in a Super Bowl rematch, before traveling to Carolina for the always-important third game.