The New England Patriots didn’t win pretty in their game against the Washington Football Team in the first week of preseason. Both the Patriots’ offense and defense were efficient — but didn’t wow. That made for a low-scoring affair, with New England winning, 22-13.
Washington nearly tied the game in the final minutes, but the 2-point conversion, which was initially ruled a completed pass from Steven Montez to Antonio Gandy-Golden, was overturned as an incompletion.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson slammed the door closed with a 91-yard touchdown in the final minute of the game. He scored both of the Patriots’ touchdowns in the fourth quarter when starters were long gone. Football Team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and Patriots quarterback Cam Newton each played two series. Newton’s series finished with a field goal and a punt. Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones led five series, with two field goals and one punt.
New England seems to have fast-tracked Jones on a trajectory to takeover the starting job. He did not misstep this evening.
Here are more thoughts on Jones, Newton and the rest of the Patriots in these eight takeaways.