Patriots vs. Panthers: Marcus Jones 87-yard punt return gives New England lead

The New England Patriots are back at Gillette Stadium as they look for their first home win under head coach Mike Vrabel. In order to do so and get back to .500 on the year, they will need to take down Bryce Young and a Carolina Panthers team that is coming off its first victory of the season in blowout fashion.

Follow along with us throughout Sunday live from Foxborough.

The Patriots won the toss and deferred, putting Christian Gonzalez and New England’s defense on the field to start Sunday’s contest. Carolina quickly got on the move picking up a handful of first downs — including a 16-yard completion to rookie Tet McMillan against Gonzalez to move inside the 10-yard line. The next play, Bryce Young found Tommy Tremble in the end zone for an opening touchdown. The extra point was no good. [Patriots 0 : 6 Panthers]

New England’s first play of scrimmage went to Rhamondre Stevenson, who drew the start at running back after his two fumbles last weekend. A carry to TreVeyon Henderson then set up a third-and-3, where Drake Maye’s first pass of the day was high off the mark to Kayshon Boutte.

Carolina’s offense got back on the move across midfield before an incompletion and batted pass by Christian Barmore set up a third-and-10. A handoff to Rico Dowdle picked up just two yards and led to a punt.

On the return, Marcus Jones made two defenders miss on his own 13-yard line and the rest was history as he took it 87 yards for a touchdown. [Patriots 7 : 6 Panthers]

Back with the football, a nine-yard completion to McMillan and 10-yard rush by Dowdle got the Carolina offense across midfield. A tackle for loss by Jack Gibbens, who replaced Christian Elliss at the start of the drive, set up another third-and-long where Young’s pass was behind McMillan an incomplete.