The New England Patriots’ 2026 preseason debut against the Colts ended in a tie. That’s a brutal start, but honestly, it was kicker Andy Borregales’ performance that sealed it, missing three crucial field goals. Michael Hurley and Phil Perry confirmed the game ended knotted up, those misses sealing the outcome. It’s a tough look for the special teams unit right out of the gate.
Tommy DeVito and the Rookie Wave That’s Building
But hold up! Forget the tie for a second, because the future of this team was on display. All nine of the 2026 NFL Draft picks saw action, and Andrew Callahan noted the Patriots are already looking to lean heavily on these new guys again this season. Rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito, who everyone’s been watching, “looked the part.” He put in a “quality evening of work,” going 13-of-22 for 138 yards and tossed a touchdown pass! That score went to another rookie, Kyle Williams, who Evan Lazar tagged as Player of the Game, noting he “flashes potential.” Chris Mason even called DeVito his Man of the Match, and Ethan Hurwitz’s QB report backed up his strong performance. Running back Jam Miller stepped up and took care of “RB1 duties,” showing he’s ready to contribute right away. Rookie QB Behren Morton also had an “interesting debut,” as Matt Vautour highlighted. This young core is already making serious moves.
Defense Was Solid, But That Kicking Game is a Problem
On the flip side, the defense came to play! They forced four turnovers, which is big for any unit. Conor Ryan pointed out that “veterans pop on defense,” which is exactly the leadership you want to see. Even cornerback Kindle Vildor made his “first big play.” Rookie Gabe Jacas, who HC Mike Vrabel called out on the sideline, showed real grit and “responded” well under pressure. However, it wasn’t all good news. The offensive line depth took a hit, and Alex Barth highlighted penalty problems that need cleaning up. And then, yeah, there’s Borregales. Khari Thompson noted he hadn’t faced much competition, and after those three missed field goals leading to a tie, he’s definitely going to see the heat now. Vrabel also had to deal with Christian Gonzalez’s absence, downplaying it as ‘Physically unavailable.’
This preseason opener, ending in a tie largely due to special teams struggles, immediately puts a spotlight on the kicking game. With so many rookies flashing potential and showing they’re ready to step up, the team’s identity for the 2026 season is starting to emerge. We’ll be watching closely to see how the Patriots tackle that kicker situation. It’s going to be interesting.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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