This Sunday night, two teams at the bottom of the standings will face off in a significant preseason clash. The New England Patriots (1-1) travel to Washington D.C. to challenge the Washington Commanders (0-2). Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST at Commanders Field. Last season, the Patriots hosted the Commanders, who emerged victorious with a narrow 20-17 win. What will unfold this time around?
New England’s Shift in Strategy
The Patriots are moving closer to a new chapter in their franchise history as they prepare for the post-Belichick era. Following the Sunday match, the reality of this transition will become more apparent. The team needs to resolve several key roster competitions, particularly in the kicking department. Chad Ryland and Joey Slye are in contention for the kicker position, but Ryland’s recent struggles in practice may hinder his chances.
Offensively, the Patriots finished poorly last season, ranking 30th in total yards and 31st in scoring. They still have notable gaps, especially at wide receiver. Fourth-round pick Javon Baker has faced challenges with drops, while sophomore Kayshon Boutte finds himself in a precarious position. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye is expected to command attention, but Joe Milton III may secure the third-string QB spot over Bailey Zappe, thanks to his youth and potential.
On the offensive line, head coach Jerod Mayo is still determining the best starting configuration. Fans should expect multiple lineup adjustments throughout the game. So far, New England’s offense has yet to score 20 points in any preseason contest. Will they break that streak on Sunday night?
Switching to defense, a few players have made strong cases to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. Defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms has consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks, a skill that New England desperately needs following injuries and the trade of Matt Judon. New signings Kobe Jones and Christian McCarroll aim to prove their worth beyond the preseason. In the secondary, Alex Austin and Marco Wilson are battling for cornerback positions. Sunday’s game will be crucial for their aspirations.
Key Injuries – Kendrick Bourne, Cole Strange, Sione Takitaki
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Washington’s Vision for Improvement
The Commanders are actively shaping their roster as the regular season looms. They recently traded receiver Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles, providing an opportunity for Martavis Bryant and Kazmeir Allen to step up. Rookie Jayden Daniels has officially been named the Week 1 starter, clarifying the team’s quarterback situation, although the third-string role remains contested between Jeff Driskel and Sam Hartman.
A significant challenge for Washington last season was their offensive line, which allowed the second-most sacks in the league. Similar to New England, they have been experimenting with different line combinations during the preseason. The Commanders aim to finally score at least 20 points in a game this Sunday, a feat they have yet to achieve this preseason.
Defensively, Washington has some undrafted talents emerging, particularly safety Tyler Owens and cornerback Chigozie Anusiem. Both players are on the verge of securing a roster spot, assuming they deliver another strong performance. While the interior defensive line and linebacker positions are mostly set, the latter remains somewhat thin. The Commanders hope to improve upon last season’s performance, where they ranked last in both yards and points allowed. So far, they have managed to keep opponents below 20 points. Will they maintain this trend?
Key Injuries – Jordan Magee, Efe Obada
Best Bets for New England Patriots vs. Washington Commanders
Given the circumstances, it’s difficult to envision the Patriots winning by more than five points on the road. With ongoing injury issues and an offense struggling to find its rhythm, a close contest is expected. While better quarterback play may tilt the outcome in New England’s favor, a victory will likely hinge on a field goal.
Washington’s secondary appears poised to effectively contain the Patriots’ receiving corps. Offensively, they have the potential to exploit New England’s vulnerabilities. Anticipate a tightly contested matchup that could be decided by a mere three points, regardless of the winner. Washington is expected to cover the spread.
