But he has come back strong this preseason.
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Cooks was a clear bright spot on offense, snaring two catches for big plays and racking up a total of 124 yards on five touches. New Orleans might have led by more if not for three failed 2-point tries, one on a run by Khiry Robinson, the others on incomplete passes intended for Marques Colton and Brandon Coleman. Garoppolo made a lovely pass to a tightly-covered Jonathan Krause for a 22-yard gain.
In limited action, Brees lit up the Patriots defense, completing eight of his 10 pass attempts for 159 yards and two touchdown strikes.
Garoppolo was intercepted by Pierre Warren on the first play of the next drive with an ill-advised deep ball to Gibson, but the Saints settled for a 21-yard field goal, which made it 24-20 with 8:40 to play.
Veteran WR Marques Colston started after sitting out of last week’s game against Baltimore.
Garoppolo then returned to drive New England for a pair of field goals, starting with Gostkowsi’s 36-yarder.
The Patriots have been running without Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Aaron Dobson and Brian Tyms. That may have contributed to Brady’s struggles. Scoring summaryFirst QuarterNO_FG Hopkins 27, 9:55.
– Wide receiver Chris Harper continues to be consistent and trusted upon by Garoppolo to make tough catches for first downs.
He said the improvements on offense – the Patriots gained 364 yards against New Orleans compared to 211 against Green Bay – allowed for closer evaluation of how skill players create extra yardage. New England’s James Morris forced the fumble. Belichick looked peeved at the officials on the first penalty, but he lit into Fleming the second time it occurred. Brees found Cooks on his final throw of the night because safety Duron Harmon took a poor angle in center field. New Orleans had 16 last week against the Ravens. In fact, Brees hasn’t attempted fewer than 650 passes since 2009.
– Cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Tarell Brown only played against Brees and weren’t targeted.
He wasn’t even throwing to his usual first-team receivers when he lit up the Saints at practice.
Patriots’ Gostkowski kicks a 35-yard FG. “There really wasn’t a lot of pressure on the quarterback tonight and that’s always a good thing for the passing game”.
After his rough first practice against New Orleans, Butler said he was determined to redeem himself the following day. He was 6 of 8 for 85 yards. New Orleans 24, New England 20. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:25. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 1:46.
– One of Garoppolo’s incompletions was caused by a QB hit let up by left tackle Nate Solder. New England 26, New Orleans 24. The Patriots play their third preseason game Friday at Carolina at 7:30 p.m. and wrap up the preseason September 3 at home vs. the New York Giants….
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“I think I got a little away from my mechanics previous year as the season wore on”, Brees said. Gibson has recorded 46 starts, 233 catches, 2,711 receiving yards and 13 TDs in his six years of NFL service, and his best season came in 2012 (51 catches, 691 yards, five TDs).
