The New England Patriots will travel for the first time this season on Sunday night. They will complete their 2024 preseason game against the Washington Commanders.
With final roster cuts looming, this primetime showdown represents the last chance for players from New England’s current roster gap to fight for a spot on the 53-man roster.
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Sunday, August 25, 8:00 p.m. ET | Commanders Field, Greater Landover, MD | Broadcast information | Players in focus
First quarter
The Patriots began the night with possession, sending Jacoby Brissett up the field first for his first scoring drive of the preseason. New England picked up a first down when Brissett beat a blitz by finding Antonio Gibson out of the backfield and gaining 13 yards. After the back moved the chains on the ground again, Brissett was quickly sacked (and appeared to fracture his right shoulder in the process), which eventually led to a 3rd-and-11. Brissett had plenty of time from the start, but his pass along the left sideline to KJ Osborn was incomplete.
Jeff Driskel was the starting punter for Washington who stayed in the pocket while taking a heavy hit from William Bradley-King on third down to move the chains. After moving the chains again on the ground, Driskel’s next pass on third down was complete but short.
Drake Maye took over New England’s offense and immediately got things moving. After a bad snap by Nick Leverett that allowed a 3rd-and-14, Maye ran for a 17-yard gain and a conversion. Two plays later, Maye threw a strike from under-center play action and found fellow rookie Ja’Lynn Polk on a deep crosser for 29 yards. After another botched under-center switch and running stuff, New England went back, but a defensive penalty got the chains moving. Maye’s next third down brought a pass to Pop Douglas for 16 yards before a short pass to Kevin Harris gave the back 18 yards for a touchdown. Chad Ryland scored the extra point. (Patriots 7: 0 Commanders)
Second quarter
Washington’s next drive came to nothing after an offensive pass interference penalty was called on first down and Keion White brought down Driskel on third and third down.
Mayes’ next drive began with a short pass from the backfield for 14 yards to JaMycal Hasty. A false start by Layden Robinson and an illegal set-up by Chuks Okorafor then pushed New England back, where two short passes to Douglas failed to move the chains.
A holding penalty on first down and a false start eventually helped Washington to a 3rd and 18 attempt, with Driskel’s dump-off pass leading to another punt.
A run and another penalty on Okorafor put Drake Maye and the Patriots offense on a 3rd-and-11 attempt where a miscommunication with Tyquan Thornton led to an incomplete pass and punt.
Back with the ball, Driskel’s first pass was intercepted by Joe Giles-Harris, who has flashed in coverage all summer and is battling for one of the final spots on the roster.
When they took over at their own 44-yard line after the pick, Maye’s first-down pass was nearly intercepted as it missed KJ Osborn. Another penalty up front (Layden Robinson) brought the offense back, where a drop by Jalen Reagor allowed a 3rd-and-20. From the start, a screen to Hasty gained only a few yards – resulting in two penalties against the offensive line being declined.
Driskel made progress on Washington’s next drive, completing two intermediate passes for two first downs. Just past the halfway line, Washington found a 4th-and-1. Facing a 3rd-and-9 at the two-minute warning, Driskel’s short pass was intercepted by Shaun Wade, leading to a punt.
Drake Maye regained possession at his own 20-yard line with 1:25 left in the half. His first deep throw was incomplete—which left Sidy Sow lying on the ground after the play—before two touches by Hasty moved the chains. Then, in rush mode, Maye found Baker for 16 yards down the right sideline and Osborn for 10 yards—after a pass to Polk was nullified by a holding penalty (Michael Jordan). With 36 seconds left, Maye escaped the pocket before finding Osborn further down the field for a 48-yard touchdown, but Okorafor’s third illegal lineup penalty nullified the play. Another short pass set up a 64-yard field goal to end the half, which Joey Slye missed.
Third quarter
The Commanders started the second half with the ball, with Trace McSorley taking over at quarterback. His first pass was nearly intercepted by Isaiah Bolden before McSorley kept it himself on 3rd-and-10 for a first-down scrum. McSorley then moved the Commanders across the midfield again on third down and then into the red area with a 15-yard pass to Chris Rodriguez. On 3rd-and-9 from the 16-yard line, a free rusher forced a quick pass into the flat in Bradley-King that was dropped. Cade York made a 34-yard field goal. (Patriots 7: 3 Commanders)
Joe Milton started the second half as quarterback for the Patriots and on his first play he set off a bomb that fell into the arms of a commander and was intercepted – but a defensive hold prevented the ball from being lost. A 12-yard run by Terrell Jennings then brought a first down before Milton’s pass was intercepted at the line of scrimmage on 3rd-and-8.
A 49-yard punt by Bryce Baringer and a hold by Azizi Hearn put the Commanders at their own three-yard line. A read option keeper by McSorley immediately gave them some breathing room as he ran 18 yards. An incomplete pass and running attempts by Steele Chambers and Sam Roberts led to a 3rd-and-11 where McSorley’s shot downfield was incomplete as Marcellas Dial was in coverage.
Milton’s next drive faced a quick 3rd-and-9, where the quarterback escaped pressure and kept the ball up the middle himself for a 20-yard gain. Another 3rd-and-9 loomed on the other side of midfield, and Milton hit Kawaan Baker with a slant pass for a 12-yard gain. Milton’s next third-down pass outside the red area was incomplete and landed at Baker, leading to a 38-yard field goal by Chad Ryland. (Patriots 10: 3 Commanders)
Fourth quarter
Two short drives brought Washington to a 3rd-and-2, where McSorley’s deep pass drew a pass interference from Dial for 19 yards. They then fought their way into the red area and Cade York capped the 12-play drive with a 33-yard field goal. (Patriots 10: 6 Commanders)