DETROIT -- Here are five quick-hit takeaways from Friday's preseason matchup between the Patriots and Lions . . .
1. EDELMAN'S INJURY THE STORY
When Julian Edelman went down with a right non-contact knee injury in the first quarter, the entire tenor of the night changed for the Patriots. We'll have updates on his status as we get them.
2. GILLISLEE GETS SOME WORK
Mike Gillislee saw his first preseason action as a member of the Patriots and looked strong. he ran in an easy one-yard score in the first quarter and later punched in a two-point conversion from the one-yard line after a Lions penalty on an extra point. His most impressive snap came on a 27-yard jaunt. After dealing with hamstring issues for much of the summer, Gillislee looked healthy.
MORE:
- Julian Edelman to CSNNE after injury: 'I am relentless'
- Tom Brady on Julian Edelman's injury: 'Hoping for the best'
- Which player needs to step up if Julian Edelman is out?
- Bean's thoughts from Patriots-Lions: Preseason cliches hold true
- Edelman injury leaves Brady without his go-to option in Detroit
3. GOSTKOWSKI ERRANT FOR ONE PAT
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Don't sound the alarms, but any time Stephen Gostkowski misses a point-after attempt, it's news. He made three extra points and three field goals, including a 46-yarder to win the game late in the fourth quarter.
4. EALY QUIET UNTIL THE SECOND HALF
The Patriots handled Kony Ealy's play time in an interesting way on Friday. We didn't see him enter the game until the fourth quarter. He recorded a quarterback pressure and a hit late in the game working against Lions backups. It's curious he didn't get much time early on against some of Detroit's top offensive linemen. Trey Flowers and Lawrence Guy seemed to get the majority of the work as the down defensive ends through the first two quarters.
5. PATRIOTS FIRE OUT TO FAST START
Within 3:30 of the first quarter, the Patriots had scored 13 points. By about 8:30 into the first, they had 21 points. A Gostkowski kick gave them 24 points before the first quarter was out. Other than Edelman's injury, the team's hurry-up offense went flawlessly to start the game, which had to have offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels pleased. In 3:09, they traveled 75 yards and scored on a Chris Hogan 7-yard reception.