New England Patriots (2-7) – Washington Commanders (4-5): 17-20
The Patriots believed in it until the end. The hope of a return of the vauvert devil. With two minutes on the clock and the entire field to go back, New England believed it could offer its public an extension, and more if affinity. Several passes from Mac Jones brought the attack to the opposing 41 yards, and kicker Chad Ryland was warming up on the edge of the field.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, JuJu Smith-Schuster fails to catch a pretty good pass from his quarterback, and the ball bounces into the hands of cornerback Jartavius Martin. An interception which allows the Commanders to win a close match from start to finish.
New England in the lead at the break
The start of the match was clearly to Washington’s advantage. Led by a good Sam Howell (29/45, 325 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), the Commanders’ attack advances and scores points, a field goal and a touchdown. Opposite, the Patriots had more difficulty getting into the game, making a fourth missed attempt and two punts.
Fortunately for New England, the second quarter was where the Commanders found themselves in trouble. A fumble by Brian Robinson and an interception by Sam Howell allowed the Pats to get back into the game. Mac Jones (24/44, 220 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) first finds Hunter Henry for a 14-yard touchdown. Then, it was Rhamondre Stevenson who took charge, with a 64-yard run which allowed his team to take the lead at the break.
The second half begins with the domination of the two attacks. A touchdown from Jahan Dotson for Washington, a field goal from both sides, and it’s the Commanders who take the advantage, with almost two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Then nothing.
A great punt contest
Both attacks no longer seemed to want to win the match for their teams. Sam Howell, although successful during three-quarters of the match, seems to have the greatest difficulty finding his receivers, well muzzled by the opposing defense. The young quarterback begins to panic, no longer knows what to do with the ball, and is sacked twice by the omnipresent Ja’Whaun Bentley (13 tackles, 2 sacks).
Same thing for the Patriots. The running game gets stuck at the faceoff line, and Mac Jones only finds his receivers for minimal gains. The chains hardly move anymore, and the two punters begin a contest. Victory for Tress Way of the Commanders, but Bryce Baringer of the Patriots was not unworthy. All before the decisive drive which will conclude a close victory for the Commanders.
Nothing notable will come out of this meeting between Patriots and Commanders. New England sorely lacks the talent to hope for more, and Mac Jones, despite flashes, remains a very irregular quarterback. The only positive point for the Pats is that young receiver Demario Douglas showed he can weigh in on an offense.
Washington doesn’t seem ready to go higher either, but the confidence seems to be placed on Sam Howell. Author of a match and a decent start to the season, he will still have to correct his sack problem so that the Commanders continue to trust him. However, after the departures of the week, the objective of victory does not seem immediate in the capital.
