What should we expect from Patriots preseason week one game?

The New England Patriots have their first preseason game on Thursday. What should we expect from the team after some rough training camp practices?

We are getting closer and closer to real football.  The New England Patriots will play their first preseason game on Thursday, at home, against the New York Giants.

This is the first of three preseason games for the team, and a lot will be figured out during this process.

While most of the starters are set in stone, we should expect some starters to play throughout the preseason contests to stay warm.

Even though Mac Jones has not looked great, he is the unquestioned starter of the team and likely won’t get more than a few snaps, if any.

Most of the offensive line is set in stone as well, but perhaps we could see some starters play some.

The main question here is what should we expect, or even what should we hope for during the Patriots first preseason game?

One of the first things I would expect and hope to see is a stingy defense–the defense has gotten the edge over the offense nearly every practice thus far, and it’s expected at this point from Bill Belichick coached teams.

The Patriots don’t necessarily have elite, shutdown players on defense yet, but each level is filled with rock solid starters who may have to pull more weight in 2022.

The next thing I would at least hope to see is a bit more consistency from the offense.  I don’t think it’s reasonably to expect the team, which will see mostly backups playing, to score 30 points.

However, this is the time when coaches get in rhythm with their playcalling and get on the same wavelengths with the players.

I think hoping for some logical playcalling and occasionally being able to put together scoring drives is a reasonable ask.

Please, offense, just show us something.

I’m not concerned about any other aspect of the team, really, besides this offense, which has gotten trounced in training camp.

Bailey Zappe making good, on-time throws would be nice to see.

The offensive line opening running lanes and protecting during passing plays would be nice.

Efficient scoring drives here and there would be great to see.

We aren’t going to see the Greatest Show on Turf when the Patriots kickoff against the Giants, but I think hoping for gradual, minimal gains is a reasonable ask.