Category: 2021 Preseason

5 takeaways from Washington’s preseason loss at New England

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke and Chase Young: Here are five takeaways from Washington’s loss to New England.

The Washington Football Team opened the preseason with a 22-13 loss to the New England Patriots on Thursday night.

As with most preseason games, the final score isn’t truly indicative of how Washington played — at least Washington’s starters.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick looked sharp in his debut and would have led the team to a score, but kicker Dustin Hopkins missed a field goal. Backup Taylor Heinicke was also solid and led the WFT to its first touchdown just before halftime.

Washington’s first-team defense looked dominant on its first drive when defensive end Chase Young apparently strip-sacked New England quarterback Cam Newton. The play was later ruled an incomplete pass.

Judge for yourself.

Here are five takeaways from Washington’s first preseason game.

 

New England holds off Washington in preseason opener for both teams

The Washington Football Team comes up short in the preseason opener.

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The New England Patriots defeated the Washington Football Team, 22-13, on Thursday in the preseason opener for both teams.

Washington quarterback Steven Montez found running back Lamar Miller in the end zone for a late touchdown to cut New England’s lead to 15-13. Wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden appeared to have come down with Montez’s pass on the two-point conversion. However, officials ruled Gandy-Golden didn’t complete the catch, and the Patriots stayed in front.

New England went back on offense and was content to run the clock out, but Washington coach Ron Rivera was using his timeouts. Rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson took the ball down the right sideline for a 91-yard touchdown to seal a New England win.

Montez would play the second half, completing 17 of 24 passes for 108 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He struggled for much of the game but appeared to have settled down on Washington’s final two drives.

Washington starter Ryan Fitzpatrick went five of eight with 58 yards passing. Taylor Heinicke completed 9 of 15 passes for 86 yards and led the Football Team to its first touchdown just before halftime.

Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins missed two field goals.

Rookie running back Jaret Patterson was impressive, rushing for 40 yards on 10 attempts and leading the team with four receptions for 30 yards.

Washington is back in action next Friday when the Cincinnati Bengals come to FedEx Field.

Washington leads New England at halftime in preseason opener

Washington leads New England, 7-6, at halftime after Peyton Barber scored from one yard out late in the first half.

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The Washington Football Team leads the New England Patriots, 7-6, at halftime in Week 1 preseason action.

New England led 6-0 until late in the second quarter when Peyton Barber punches the ball in from one yard out to tie the game. Kicker Dustin Hopkins added the extra point to give the WFT the lead.

Washington quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick started the game, completing five of eight passes for 58 yards. He led one promising drive that ended when Hopkins missed a field goal.

Taylor Heinicke took over under center for Washington and kept several plays alive with his legs. He completed nine of 15 passes for 86 yards in the first half.

Undrafted rookie running back, Jaret Patterson had two nice plays in the second quarter for the Football Team. He made an outstanding catch to set up Washington’s touchdown. It was certainly a good half of action for Patterson.

The play of the half for Washington was Chase Young’s sack of Cam Newton.

New England rookie quarterback Mac Jones played most of the first half for the Patriots and looked good.

It will be interesting to see how much Heinicke plays in the second half.

WATCH: Chase Young picks up where he left off in first preseason action

Chase Young sacks Cam Newton on New England’s first possession.

It didn’t take long for reigning 2020 NFL defensive rookie of the year Chase Young to make an impact in 2021.

In Washington’s first preseason game against the New England Patriots, the Pats were facing a 3rd-and-8 from their own 22-yard line when Young blew past the left tackle onto the back of quarterback Cam Newton.

It was Washington’s first defensive possession — and the third snap of the game for Young.

As a rookie last season, Young finished with 7.5 sacks en route to being the NFL’s top defensive rookie. This week, fellow defensive end, Montez Sweat, said that he and Young have their eyes on the combined NFL sack record by teammates — 39 — set in 1989.

It was certainly a fast start for Young, and it had Washington fans buzzing on Twitter.

Sweat missed the game with an illness.

 

Last-minute buzz before Washington’s preseason opener at New England

Last-minute buzz, news, etc. for Washington’s preseason opener at New England.

The Washington Football Team opens the 2021 preseason on Thursday evening against the New England Patriots. Washington and New England are scheduled for kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The Football Team expects to have a healthy roster going into the game. John Keim of ESPN named seven players who would not dress for Washington. Most were not a surprise. The only surprise was defensive end Montez Sweat, who will miss the game with an illness.

In the absence of Sweat, second-year defensive end James Smith-Williams should get more work. That could also mean more opportunities for rookie seventh-round picks, Shaka Toney and William Bradley-King.

Washington will begin the game with its expected starters, including Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. It’s not known how long head coach Ron Rivera will keep his starters in the game.

The WFT defense will see both of New England’s quarterbacks: former MVP Cam Newton and first-round pick Mac Jones.

Washington and New England are frequent preseason opponents.

It’s going to be hot in Foxboro.

A lot of love and respect between these two men.

 

 

How to watch, listen, stream Washington vs. Patriots in preseason Week 1

How to watch, listen and stream Washington’s preseason debut at New England.

The Washington Football Team opens up the 2021 preseason on Thursday with a trip to Foxboro to face the New England Patriots.

Washington enters the preseason opener intending to play its starters. Head coach Ron Rivera didn’t say how long the starters would play, but he detailed what he was looking for from his quarterbacks.

“Is he going through the checks, the processes he needs to?” Rivera said Tuesday. “When I’m done, I’m going to take a look and see what the playbook tells us, whether or not we spread the ball around properly and we used all of our assets out there.”

While most of Washington’s roster is set, there are still several battles to be won this preseason. Wide receiver, defensive back, defensive end, and the offensive line are some positions to watch for Washington on Thursday night.

The Football Team will be playing Rivera’s former franchise quarterback in Carolina, Cam Newton. Washington will also see plenty of New England’s first-round quarterback, Mac Jones.

Here’s how you can watch the Washington Football Team and the New England Patriots preseason battle:

How to watch, listen, stream Washington at New England

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts

TV: NFL Network

Radio: SiriusXM channel 380 for Washington’s broadcast and channel 381 for New England’s broadcast.

Stream: FuboTV (try it free).