FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A quick look at Jimmy Garoppolo’s numbers would reveal a pretty bland outing in the Patriots’ preseason opener.

Garoppolo went 11 of 18 for 168 yards in his one half of work Thursday night. He didn’t throw a touchdown, nor was he intercepted in the Patriots’ 34-22 win against the New Orleans Saints.

But Coach Bill Belichick was impressed by something you won’t find in a stat line, Garoppolo’s toughness.

The starter was under siege for much of the first half, as his offensive line struggled to slow down the Saints’ defensive front. Garoppolo was sacked twice and knocked to the turf a couple more times, but was always quick to pop right back up.

“I think that’s always been a strength of Jimmy,” Belichick said. “He’s a tough kid and he’s, I think, responded well from those in the past.”

Belichick, entering his 42nd year as an NFL coach, was quick to cite a game that Garoppolo played against Buffalo in 2014 as one of the worst beatings he’s seen a signal caller take.

“I can’t remember too many quarterbacks getting hit harder or more often than he did against Buffalo a couple of years ago,” Belichick said. “I don’t think that’s an issue. He’s been resilient and has good toughness.”

In 2014, the Bills had a top-five defense that was fueled by their pass rush. Tom Brady departed the Week 17 loss at halftime, and Garoppolo was a punching bag in the second half. He was sacked three times and likely sore the next day, but the game made an impression on Belichick.

EAGLES: Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz has a hairline fracture in his ribs and there is no timetable for his return.

BRONCOS: Wide receiver Bennie Fowler will be sidelined for several weeks after breaking a bone in his left elbow.

BILLS: Buffalo reached an agreement to sell the naming rights of Ralph Wilson Stadium to Buffalo-based New Era Cap Company.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

SEAHAWKS 17, CHIEFS 16: Trevone Boykin engineered a last-minute, 88-yard touchdown drive in four plays, hitting Tanner McEvoy with a 37-yard scoring pass, and Tyvis Pope scored the 2-point conversion with no time remaining, lifting Seattle at Kansas City, Missouri.

COLTS 19, BILLS 18: With Andrew Luck getting a break, backup quarterbacks Scott Tolzien and Stephen Morris teamed up to lead Indianapolis at Orchard Park, New York.

Trevor Bates of Westbrook and the University of Maine had two solo tackles for the Colts in his NFL debut.

TITANS 27, CHARGERS 10: DeMarco Murray ran for a 71-yard touchdown and rookie Derrick Henry also scored as Tennessee’s new-look rushing game delivered an impressive debut at Nashville, Tennessee.

RAMS 28, COWBOYS 24: Los Angeles earned a win in its homecoming when Sean Mannion threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Green with 1:54 remaining.

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