Greg Bedard of BostonSportsJournal.com joined Felger and Mazz on Tuesday, as he does every Tuesday during the football season, to discuss the latest with the New England Patriots following their 20-17 loss to the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Bedard gives his 3 up and 3 down from the loss for the Patriots!
Some notes from the game courtesy of NFL.com….
The Patriots have fallen to 1-4 at Gillette Stadium during the 2023 season.
With the loss to the Commanders, the Patriots are 0-4 against NFL teams in 2023. Their final game against an NFL opponent will be in week 12 when they visit the New York Giants.
The Commanders won the possession battle in the game, having the ball for 37:10. The Patriots possessed the ball for a total of 22:50 in the loss.
Rookie receiver, Demario Douglas, led all Patriots pass catchers with 55 yards receiving. Douglas is up to 277 yards receiving on the season.
Mac Jones’s interception late in the fourth quarter was his 9th interception of the season. Jones has now thrown interceptions in seven of his nine appearances in 2023.
Ja’Whaun Bentley led all Patriots defenders with 13 tackles in the loss to the Commanders. Bentley also leads all Patriots defenders in tackles on the season with 68.
The Patriots won the turnover battle in the loss, forcing the Commanders to fumble once and intercepting Sam Howell once.
JuJu Smith-Schuster made 6 receptions for 51 yards in the loss. The 51 yards receiving was the most receiving yards Smith-Schuster has had in a game as a member of the Patriots.
The Patriots will travel to Germany in week 10 to play in their fourth international game. The Patriots have never lost an international matchup. In 2009 they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-7 in London, in 2012 they beat the St. Louis Rams 45-7 in London, and in 2017 they defeated the Oakland Raiders 33-8 in Mexico City.
3 UP
Christian Barmore
Foxboro, MA, Sep. 25, 2022: New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore reacts during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. (Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)
Greg Bedard: He’s been on a heater. He was tremendous. This was his best game of the season. At least five total quarterback pressures. He’s he’s been a beast inside. He’s playing really, really well for this team.
Deatrich Wise Jr.
Nov 5, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) throws the ball while New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (91) defends during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: Very similar to Barmore. Same number of like impact plays and quarterback pressures They both played really well and won their matchups.
Michael Onwenu
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 19: Mike Onwenu #71 of the New England Patriots walks off the field after the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on August 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 35-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Had him for just one knockdown. I thought he was tremendous in this game. It’s amazing what he’s done since moving on the right tackle and it makes you wonder why they didn’t do this a lot, lot sooner.
3 DOWN
Mac Jones
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 05: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the Washington Commanders during the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: I had him for eight plus plays and 13 minus plays in this game. This is now, outside of the fourth quarter against the Bills, he’s been playing losing football for five straight weeks.
Connor McDermott
Nov 5, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots Conor McDermott during the first half against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: I think he did okay in this game. But seven total quarterback pressures and almost getting your quarterback decapitated on that sack that was negated by the ridiculous roughing the passer penalty is just not good enough.
Jalen Mills
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 05: Sam Howell #14 of the Washington Commanders is tackled by Jalen Mills #2 and Adrian Phillips #21 of the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Multiple missed tacklesincluding the third and 23. He didn’t even play that much. Like he’s one of those guys that I look at and I’m just like, I don’t know how much he’s invested in this anymore. I think there are starting to be some guys inthe secondary and on this fence that are starting to get in that group.
