Patriots offense shines in 48-18 exhibition win over Commanders, as Washington rests starters, vets

09-08-2025

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The first time TreVeyon Henderson touched the ball in an NFL game, he went nearly untouched by anyone else.
The Patriots rookie running back erupted for a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game, helping power New England to a 48-18 exhibition win over the Washington Commanders on Friday night.
Henderson, a second-round pick out of Ohio State, also had an 18-yard run. Quarterback Drake Maye added a 5-yard TD run and completed 3 of 5 passes for 12 yards in two series of work. It was a promising glimpse of a new-look Patriots offense under new coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as he begins his latest Patriots tenure.
DJ James intercepted Washington quarterback Sam Hartman's pass, and Antonio Gibson added a 62-yard punt return that set up a 2-yard TD run by backup quarterback Josh Dobbs.
Jeremy McNichols had a touchdown run for the Commanders. Hartman completed 9 of 19 passes for 64 yards and the interception. Josh Johnson played throughout the second half and was 15 of 22 for 173 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
As much as the points excited New England's home crowd on a night that began with the unveiling of a bronze statue of Tom Brady, in came with the caveat that most of the Patriots' offensive fireworks were against the Commanders' backups.
Coming of a 12-5 finish and run to the NFC championship game in his first season in Washington, Commanders coach Dan Quinn took a cautious approach, resting 30 players – including his projected starters and several veterans.
The list included quarterback Jayden Daniels, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota (didn't travel, leg strain) and receiver Deebo Samuels on offense. Cornerback Marcus Lattimore and linebackers Von Miller and Bobby Wagner were among those who sat on defense.
But Washington did get their first true looks at rookie offensive lineman Josh Conerly, cornerback Trey Amos, receiver Jaylin Lane, linebacker Kain Medrano and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who all dressed.
Amos and Medrano both had some early tackles, but it was mostly a sluggish outing for the Commanders' understudies who were penalized 13 times for 98 yards. New England was whistled for two penalties for 15 yards.
Injuries
Commanders: CB Bobby Price left the game in the final minute of the first half after hitting his head as he crashed to the ground defending a pass to New England. ... DT Viliami Fehoko walked off on his own power with a lower body issue in the third quarter.
Patriots: WR Ja'Lynn went to the medical tent and then the locker room shortly after a run in the second quarter.
Bad decision
While Maye was mostly poised in his limited action, it wasn't spotless.
Facing a third-and-7 on the Patriots' first series, Maye was flushed out of the pocket and grabbed from behind by defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton.
But instead of taking the sack, Maye attempted to throw at the last moment and lost the ball as he was dragged to turf. It was recovered by defensive end Jacob Martin.
Dropped
Hartman led the Commanders into the red zone for the first time late in the second quarter.
It was third-and-3 on the 19 when KJ Osbourn got a step on Alex Austin. Hartman placed a catchable pass over Osbourn's shoulder. But he bobbled it as he tried to haul it in and it fell incomplete.
Up next
Commanders. Host Cincinnati on Aug. 18.
Patriots: At Minnesota Aug. 16
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

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Justin Fields and Jets' passing game sputter in 2 drives in preseason loss to Giants

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5 minutes ago

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Justin Fields and Jets' passing game sputter in 2 drives in preseason loss to Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Justin Fields and the New York Jets' passing offense were grounded against the Giants. At least the running game looks ready for the regular season. Fields, signed to a two-year, $40 million deal in the offseason to replace Aaron Rodgers as the Jets' starting quarterback, went just 1 of 5 for 4 yards in two series in their 31-12 preseason loss to the Giants as the starting offense mostly stuck to the ground Saturday night. With Fields running the offense, the Jets ran the ball 13 times for 55 yards — with the quarterback even surpassing his passing total by getting 5 yards on his lone rush. Trailing 7-0 after the Giants scored on their opening drive, the Jets opened their second possession by running 10 straight plays before an incompletion by Fields on third-and-2 to Garrett Wilson — his former college teammate at Ohio State. The Jets settled for a 38-yard field goal by Nick Folk to cap the drive. Fields and all the offensive starters other than rookie right tackle Armand Membou were then done for the night, with Adrian Martinez and the backups taking over. In his preseason debut last Saturday, Fields was 3 of 4 for 42 yards and ran for a 13-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play, 79-yard drive in his lone series against Green Bay. Fields and the Jets' passing offense have been among the team's biggest question marks this summer because they have struggled to produce consistently in training camp. There have also been very few long throws by Fields, with lots of dump-offs and checkdowns. First-year coach Aaron Glenn, though, has insisted that Fields has been developing nicely and doing everything asked of him. Fields has also said focusing on his faith has helped him block out the criticisms that affected him during his first four NFL seasons. But fans who were antsy about the passing offense heading into this game likely won't feel any better now. And with the starters uncertain to play in the preseason finale next Friday night at home against Philadelphia — teams often sit out their first-teamers — Fields and the offense might have to wait to ease those concerns until the regular-season opener on Sept. 7 against Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Things actually got off to a promising start against the Giants with Fields' first pass of the game completed to rookie tight end Mason Taylor. But he threw three straight incompletions to end the drive, leading to a punt. Meanwhile, Martinez was 12 of 21 for 114 yards and an interception before being replaced by Brady Cook in the third quarter. Cook, an undrafted rookie from Missouri, threw a 4-yard TD pass to rookie Quentin Skinner — who made a diving grab — in the fourth quarter. ___ AP NFL: