Pats game winning drive stalled with late pick by Mac Jones, lose at home 20-17
New England falls to 2-7 on the season, 1-4 at home
New England started the game down early trailing 10-0 after a Brian Robinson 9-yard rushing touchdown in the beginning of the second quarter.
However, Mac Jones would connect with tight end Hunter Henry on a 14-yard touchdown strike after a really nice forced fumble caused by Jahlani Tavai.
Despite a 17-0 run, Jones and the Patriots only managed to score three points in the second half.
Bill O’Brian’s offense has only scored 19 points total in the third quarter all season and have entered trailing to start the fourth quarter in seven out of nine games.
Washington scored 10 points in the third quarter and held on to win by three. Jones ultimately ended the game during the Patriots final drive with an interception.
Rhamondre Stevenson had his best game of the season with nine carries for 87 yards.
He also added a career long rush of 64 yards which resulted in a touchdown. Stevenson added four catches for 42 yards receiving.
I was surprised to find out Keyshon Boutte was inactive this game after Bill Belichick spoke highly of him during the week.
“We activated the players that we felt were the best players to put in the game,” said Belichick when asked why the rookie didn’t play.
Fellow rookie Demario Douglas led the team in receiving yards with 55 which is a career high. Juju Smith-Schuster had his best game as Patriot with six catches for 51 yards.
Sam Howell led his offense to 432 total yards, 325 of which came through the air. After giving up a season high in total yards the Patriots defense wont find the tape on this game very useful. Ja’Whaun Bentley had his best game of the season with 13 total tackles, 10 of them solo including two sacks.
New England special teams, which is a known focus point for Belichick, was a glaring issue on Sunday.
Special teams ace Brendan Schooler had an uncharacteristic day with two costly penalties in the fourth quarter.
Rookie punter Bryce Baringer had a touchback punting from the Pats 47 yard line and Mack Wilson’s holding penalty that negated a 19-yard return by Douglas, gave the ball back to Washington with 2:25 to play.
New England will travel to Germany this week and will “host” the Indianapolis Colts at Frankfurt Stadium with the game starting at 09:30 A.M EST.
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headline game winning drive ended by late interception by Mac Jones when it was clearly set up by Smith Shuster who was praised later in the article as having his best game yet. not even close to factual reporting