New England Patriots vs. Washington Commanders Preview: Mac Jones' Chance For Breakout Game?
In Week 9, the New England Patriots welcome the Washington Commanders to Gillette Stadium. Both teams desperately need a win after suffering deflating defeats last Sunday.
The Patriots come home after allowing 390 yards of offense in a 31-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Quarterback Mac Jones dinked and dunked to finish with 161 yards with two touchdown passes. Jones threw his eighth interception during the AFC East loss, which ties him for the most interceptions in the NFL this season.
To make matters worse, the Patriots will be without the services of their top receiver for the remainder of the season. Kendrick Bourne, per a Monday morning report from NFL Network, suffered a torn ACL in the loss.
Washington went toe-to-toe with the Philadelphia Eagles, but couldn't keep pace and was outscored 21-7 in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Sam Howell threw for 397 yards and four touchdowns. Howell's performance was spectacular through three quarters but a disastrous three-drive stretch in the fourth quarter put a damper on what was a career-day for him.
New England has a chance to get after Howell while the Commanders offensive line hopes to build on a solid outing against the Eagles. Howell, who had been sacked 40 times this season, was only taken down once against the Eagles.
After losing five of their last six games, the Commanders hope to turn it around in Foxborough. Washington's defense looks to get after Jones and a Patriots offense that ranks 31st in points per game through eight weeks of the season.
The Patriots are dead last in the AFC East. At 2-6, New England now has the worst record in the AFC conference. A bit of optimism - If the season ended today the Patriots would have top-five selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Mac Jones
Cred: New York Post Images
BRIGHT SPOT: Patriots rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas hauled in a team-high five of seven targets. He finished with 25 yards and 23 of those yards came after the catch.
RECORDS: New England Patriots (2-6) vs. Washington Commanders (3-5)
ODDS: New England is a 2.5-point favorite vs. the Commanders.
GAME TIME: Sunday, November 5th, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, MA
TV/RADIO: FOX, 98.5 FM THE SPORTS HUB
THE FINAL WORD: Coach Bill Belichick on receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster:
"JuJu's missed a couple of games there and it was good to get him back yesterday," Belichick said. "He did a good job for us when he got his opportunities there later in the game. It looks like he will be physically ready to go. So, it'll be good to have him back."
Follow Bri Amaranthus on Twitter and Instagram
