FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots continued to free fall on Sunday afternoon, as Bill Belichick’s team lost to Sam Howell’s Washington Commanders at home, 20-17.
New England was outplayed in all three phases as they dropped to 2-7 on the season. The defense couldn’t get off the field on third down, the offense only had three drives of more than five plays, and special teams delivered its worst performance of the season.
Still, there was plenty to be learned in the loss. Here are seven takeaways from Gillette Stadium:
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1. JuJu can’t haul in killer INT
As the Patriots were driving for a potential game-winning score, JuJu Smith-Schuster came through with his biggest play since arriving in New England. Facing fourth-and-4 near midfield, the veteran wideout shook open and hauled in a six-yard reception to move the chains.
Two snaps later, it was all for not. Mac Jones (24-of-44 for 220 yards) targeted Smith-Schuster again, but the pass clanged off his hands and wound up in the arms of Commanders corner Emmanuel Forbes.
“Middle of the field was open. (I) ran an in cut. It was a good ball. It went through my hands. Interception. Game over,” Smith-Schuster said. “It’s all on me. (Jones) put the ball in a good position. I just got to make the catch. Secure it. Now, we’re in field goal range. Obviously, I didn’t do that.”
2. Special teams struggles
Joe Judge’s special teams units were bad from the jump on Sunday, as the Commanders opened the game with a 37-yard kickoff return. The punt return team took penalties for holding, a facemask, and a killer offsides that gave Washington a fresh set of downs. Pop Douglas took a punt sideways and then backwards, pinning the Patriots at the 5-yard line to start one fourth quarter drive. Even Bryce Baringer boomed a punt into the end zone for a touchback. It was ugly all around.
“It’s disappointing,” Matthew Slater said. “Some tough calls out there, obviously, but that’s the way the game goes. It’s just too sloppy today, with penalties and things like that. We have to take a look at it and hopefully get it right.”
3. Third down defense struggles
Though the Patriots defense only allowed 20 points, they struggled mightily to get off the field. That was thanks in large part third down defense, as Washington went 6-for-9 in the first half and 9-for-17 in the game.
“We didn’t tackle well. It was obvious,” Bill Belichick said.
4. Strange day for CBs
Shaun Wade was a surprise starter at boundary cornerback, as both JC Jackson and Jack Jones began their afternoons on the bench for multiple series. Belichick claimed the two corners weren’t benched, but Jones was literally sitting on the Patriots bench with a towel on his helmet for the entire first quarter.
Ultimately, it didn’t really matter who was out there, as Sam Howell torched the Patriots defense for 325 passing yards. It’s the first time the Patriots have allowed back-to-back 300-yard passers (Howell, Tua Tagovailoa) since 2018 (Andrew Luck, Patrick Mahomes).
5. Howell converts a third-and-23
The most embarrassing play for the Patriots defense came late in the second quarter. Facing third-and-23, Howell broke out of the pocket and scrambled for 24 yards. Adrian Phillips and Jalen Mills both had a shot to bring the quarterback down 10 yards short of the sticks, but Howell bounced off the would-be tacklers.
“That was just a hell of a play by him honestly to get that first down,” wideout Terry McLaurin said. “We tried to block downfield. I think we did a great job on the scramble drill today. We had guys getting open down the field and he does a great job of keeping his eyes down the field, which is one of the better attributes that he’s developed over the season. When you have to account for a guy who can throw the ball down the field and get first downs using his legs, it puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”
6. Not enough touches for Stevenson
Rhamondre Stevenson only saw nine carries on Sunday afternoon, one of which was New England’s most explosive play of the season: A 64-yard touchdown run. New England’s No. 1 back hasn’t gotten more than 10 carries since the Dallas loss over a month ago. On a day when Jones threw 44 passes, Stevenson should have had the ball in his hands more often.
7. Draft position improves
If you’re looking to be a glass-half-full fan, New England’s first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft improved with the loss. If the season ended tomorrow, the Patriots would be picking No. 5 overall.
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