After facing a murderer’s row group of opponents, a more winnable slate of games are coming up on the schedule for the New England Patriots, starting with the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
The Commanders were sellers at the trade deadline with the team shipping both of their premier pass-rushers, Montez Sweat and Chase Young, off in deals for future assets. So that’s two less worries for Patriots quarterback Mac Jones under center.
It also helps that the Commanders have the second-worst scoring defense in the league. That means the Patriots offense should be able to move the ball and put up points, even without Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker.
Of course, Commanders quarterback Sam Howell and the Washington offense is no slouch, either. They aren’t afraid to let Howell take shots downfield, and they can always lean on the bruising rushing power of Brian Robinson Jr., if they want to test New England’s defensive front.
Here’s the full round-up of Patriots Wire staff picks for the Week 9 matchup:
Jordy McElroy (4-4) – Patriots 28, Commanders 17
Danny Jaillet (7-1) – Patriots 17, Commanders 23
Cam Garrity (3-5) – Patriots 13, Commanders 23
Michael Braithwaite (3-5) – Patriots 33, Commanders 27
Who are you picking to win Sunday’s game? Can the Patriots overcome the injury bug and show offensive life against a suspect Commanders defense? Will the Patriots’ defense wreck things for Howell under center?