Kickoff: The Patriots wrap up the preseason with a visit to the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football. As of right now, it is the only prime time game of the season for the team.
With cutdown day coming up on Tuesday, the Patriots have to trim the roster down to 53 players by 4 pm. Tonight’s game is a final audition of sorts for almost half the roster.
Here are four downs for tonight’s game.
1st Down: Quarterback playing time: All four quarterbacks are scheduled to play tonight according to Jerod Mayo. How much they play is undetermined but Jacoby Brissett needs to play at least two maybe three series. He needs to play well and distance himself from Drake Maye.
Speaking of Maye, he needs to build off of last week’s performance and show the coaching staff that he can be at least the back up.
For Joe Milton and Bailey Zappe, it is literally about a roster spot. Their tenure as Patriots are on the line.
2nd Down: Figure out the offensive line rotation: The offensive line has been up and down all summer long. Offensive line coach Scott Peters has consistently rolled out David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Mike Onwenu, Vedarian Lowe and Chuks Okorafor as the first unit but an injury to Lowe will mean more playing time for rookies Layden Robinson and Caedan Wallace which could lead to them eventually starting based on what happens tonight.
3rd Down: Figure out a crowded secondary: The secondary has good depth and talent but not all the guys currently on the roster are going to make the team. Tonight is a big night for Dell Pettus, Azizi Hearn, JaLynn Hawkins and Josh Bledsoe.
4th Down: Clarity at receiver: You have to think the Patriots are going to carry six receivers. If they do, they are going to have to make a key cut. Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Pop Douglas, Kendrick Bourne and K.J Osborn are locks. That means Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor and Kayshon Boutte are competing for the sixth spot. Whoever steps up tonight and plays well will be in the drivers seat.
Extra Points: The New England Patriots and Washington Commanders are meeting for the 24th time in the preseason, with the Patriots holding a 15-8 advantage. The only other teams the Patriots have played more in the preseason is the New York Giants with 31 and the Philadelphia Eagles with 25 preseason meetings.
The two teams have met in the regular season 12 times with Washington holding a 7-5 advantage. The Commanders beat the Patriots, 20-17, in the last regular season meeting on Nov. 5, 2023 at Gillette Stadium.
Final Drive: Tonight is all about making the final evaluations. It is not about winning or losing but rather figuring who will make the bottom third of the roster. The Patriots have a short turnaround so many of these decisions will be made on the plane ride home and tomorrow morning.