EAGAN, Minn. – The Patriots offense started off fine, but in the third full-team period, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores dialed up the pressure.

By the time Drake Maye dropped back for the ninth time in an 11-on-11 drill, he was sacked three times. That included back-to-back pass plays in the third team period. When the fourth period started, Maye was sacked again.

At that point, the Vikings defense was clearly getting the better of the Patriots to start Wednesday’s joint-practice session

That’s exactly why Mack Hollins stepped up

On the next snap, Hollins ran through the Vikings defense, caught a deep pass from Maye, and ran in for the 50-yard touchdown. Next, while in the end zone, he held the ball out in front of him and punted it into the stands.

Both officials on site threw their flags. Hollins said there was a reason for his actions.

“Called a play, was able to get past the coverage, Drake found me. I didn’t like the energy, so I decided to punt the ball in the end zone,” Hollins said. “I saved up a couple of dollars to pay the fine, and I know it’s not a flag against the team, so it doesn’t hurt the team, it just hurts my pockets, but maybe it’ll give us a little energy boost.”

Hollins noticed his teammates’ effort and didn’t feel that they were playing with the type of energy conducive to good football. The veteran receiver noted that not everyone would run down the field after a play.

After his long touchdown, Maye completed three more deep passes throughout the practice. Although the Vikings made some good plays, the Patriots finished the second half of practice better than they started.

Maye finished 16-of-25 in full-team drills. He was also sacked six times by a talented Vikings defensive front.

“It was good for us. Good for us to see a defense that does a lot of different things. They got us a few times. I feel like we got them,” Maye said. “It was good for us to see that and experience a new defense. Kind of very different from Washington and very different from our defense.”

After Hollins punted the ball, Maye completed highlight-worthy throws to DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and TreVeyon Henderson. After being sacked four times in the first four periods, Maye was sacked twice in the final four.

Overall, it was an eventful practice at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. Here’s the top takeaways:

O-line tested

For the Patriots offensive line, Wednesday marked the biggest test we’ve seen this summer. Last season, the Vikings defense finished tied for the fourth most sacks in the NFL with 49.

Led by Pro Bowlers Jonathan Greenard (12 sacks) and Andrew Van Ginkel (11.5 sacks), the Minnesota pass rush is made more complicated due to Flores’ defensive scheme. That was seen on Wednesday.

In the third 11-on-11 period, Flores got creative with his blitzes. All of a sudden, the Vikings were sending a flurry of pass rushers in a variety of ways. For example, on one play, it appeared as though the Patriots thought Dallas Turner would drop into coverage. Instead, he blew by Will Campbell, who was looking at a different defender.

That was during a time when the offense gave up three sacks in four snaps. Players said it was a good learning experience.

“Thy have a lot of different pressures. Coach Flores does a great job of building that,” Hollins said. “It’s a great challenge for us as a unit and a team to see those things. Being able to pick up different pressures and the o-line learning to communicate. I think that’s one of the hardest things as a football player… This defense does a great job of, ‘Hey, if you don’t communicate, you’re going to look bad.’”

It appeared as though Campbell and rookie left guard Jared Wilson allowed at least two sacks each (although it’s difficult to completely assign blame when we don’t know the play call).

The offensive line settled down, and it was noteworthy that Campbell had some big blocks later in practice

“I think the guys, at times, up front, I can help them out by being more demonstrative about where I want to send them and where I want them to go,” Maye said. “We blocked it up when we got it right, and there are times where they are going to get us. That’s what (Flores) does. He creates chaos. I think it’s good for us to see and know… It’s great for us to learn from.”

During the 1-on-1 period, Campbell fared well, going 1-0-1 against Greenard. Wilson won both his reps against Javon Hargrave. Morgan Moses beat Turner both reps. Garrett Bradbury went 1-1 vs. Harrison Phillips. Michael Onwenu went 1-1 against Jonathan Allen.

Big highlight plays

For the Patriots offense, Wednesday was like being on a rollercoaster. Although there were several down points, the team had several highs in the form of highlight reel pass plays.

It all started with Hollins’ 50-yard touchdown. After that, it became contagious.

After the Hollins play, in the fifth period, Maye hit Douglas for a 25-yard pass play. In the next period, the Patriots quarterback connected with Boutte for 30 yards. This was an impressive throw as the receiver caught it sandwiched between two Vikings defenders.

The Patriots ended practice with two 2-minute drills.

In the first, they didn’t need all the time on the clock as the Vikings failed to pick up Henderson out of the backfield. That’s when Maye hit him, and the rookie running back took off untouched for a 70-yard touchdown.

Patriots players had a good time celebrating that one in the end zone.

“They didn’t account for him, and I just tried to give him an easy ball to let him catch and run,” Maye said. “I think it’s hard to catch him once he’s in the open field.”

The Patriots weren’t as efficient in their final 2-minute drill as Maye took a sack after he hit Stefon Diggs on first down.

“Coming back out of the second two-minute, I think we had a good first play, and then took a sack and just can’t do that,” Maye said. “Things like that you learn, and you know that if the look is not there, I think in two minutes, just to find answers and learn from that.”

Carlton Davis on track

Among the biggest mysteries in training camp, Carlton Davis has rarely been a full participant this summer while he works his way back from an unknown injury.

On Wednesday, the veteran cornerback didn’t take part in the team stretch or during individual drills. However, Davis played during the full-team period as the Patriots’ starting cornerback.

After practice, Davis talked to the media for the first time since his introductory press conference in March. He said the team is being cautious and makes sure he progresses. The veteran cornerback also declared that he’ll be ready to start in Week 1.

“I’m dealing with something for sure, but I’m still ready to play right now. I don’t care what’s going on – if it was Week 1, I’d be playing,” Davis said. “We’re just being smart about it and we’re going through the process and going through the progress.”

The Patriots signed Davis to a 3-year, $60 million contract in free agency. The hope he’ll be a part of one of the best 1-2 combinations in the NFL with Christian Gonzalez. Both corners, however, haven’t been on the field as much as anyone would’ve hoped. Gonzalez is working his way back from a hamstring injury.

Davis wouldn’t say what his injury was. The 28-year-old started camp on the non-football injury list and took part in his first padded practice last week. Prior to that, he’d only practiced during three walkthroughs and one non-padded session.

“I’m good,” Davis said. “Physically, I’m just taking it day by day, trying to make sure I haven’t had any setbacks and that I’m just going forward with my progress. As you saw, I was out there today during the team period. Hopefully tomorrow, do a little bit more and keep it steady so I’m ready for Week 1”.

Davis said he’s a big believer in what Mike Vrabel is building. The cornerback noted he thought the defense played well on Wednesday and talked about how much it hurt to not practice as much this summer.

“I’m really excited for the new Patriots,” Davis said. “We’re meshing together all the guys we have coming in. Great football players and better teammates. I’m happy to go out there and take the field with them, and when I’m not there, it just sucks.

“It sucked pretty bad because when you come to a team, you want to be able to display who you are rather than talk or watch film. I want to be out there in person. I want to be able to show who they got, and I want to be able to earn their respect and earn a role on the team.”

Defense felt good

The Patriots defense left the practice field feeling good about itself on Wednesday. All defensive players who spoke (Davis, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Robert Spillane) noted the team was gelling, and it showed.

Others reported that the Patriots had several sacks on the top Vikings offensive unit. Marcus Jones also came up with an interception.

“I’m really proud of our defense, how we came out here with energy, flying around, getting to the ball, communicating,” Spillane said. “All the things we pride ourselves on, we got done today. We got better.”

Kicker competition update

On Wednesday, the Patriots had rookie kicker Andy Borregales take all six attempts. This likely means that Parker Romo will do the same on Thursday.

Borregales finished 5-of-6 on the day. The sixth-round pick hit kicks from 33, 40, 43, 49, and 51 yards. He was on a roll until he missed his final attempt from 54 yards.

Borregales has hit 37-of-44 attempts in training camp. His percentage (84.1) trails Romo (89.2%), who’s hit 33-of-37 kicks this summer.

Attendance

The Patriots had a handful of players not participate on Wednesday.

That group included Christian Gonzalez, Hunter Henry, Rhamondre Stevenson, Kendrick Bourne, Marte Mapu, Jahlani Tavai, Ja’Lynn Polk, Terrell Jennings, D.J. James, and Elijah Ponder. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore was limited.

Among the group who didn’t participate, the Patriots had several players not make the trip to Minnesota. That included Bourne, Tavai, Polk, Mapu, and Jennings.

This marked the third straight practice missed for Stevenson. Vrabel said he doesn’t expect it to be a long-term thing for the running back.

“I don’t think so,” Vrabel said. “No, I mean, hopefully we’ll get him back here sooner rather than later. I don’t think it’s anything that’s significant.”