NEW: Patriots Overcome Shaky Start to Cruise Past Redskins 33-7
Sunday, October 06, 2019
Julian Edelman had a touchdown and 110 yards receiving. PHOTO: Seatacular/Flickr Commons
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady completed 28 of 42 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns and threw an interception in the game.
Julian Edelman led all receivers with eight catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots are now 5-0 on the season, while Washington falls to 0-5.
Patriots Roll in 2nd Half
After grinding through the first-half with a 12-7 lead, the Patriots offense came to life right from the start in the second half.
On the Patriots first possession of the half, Brady connected with Brandon Bolden on a 29-yard touchdown pass to give New England a 19-7 lead following an extra point by new kicker Mike Nugent.
Later in the quarter, running back Sony Michel would cap off a six-play, 88-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run to push New England’s lead to 26-7 with 4:35 left in the third quarter.
The offense would add another touchdown in the fourth quarter when Brady would connect with tight end Ryan Izzo on a 10-yard touchdown pass to give New England a 33-7 lead.
Shaky Start
The Patriots got off to a shaky start in all three phases of Sunday’s game.
After New England’s opening kickoff was a touchback, the Redskins took the ball on their own 25-yard-line to start the game.
However, before Washington could snap the ball to start the game clock, the Patriots called a timeout.
On Washington’s second offensive possession of the game, running back Steven Sims Jr. broke a 65-yard touchdown run to give the Redskins a 7-0 lead after an extra point.
The run was helped by numerous missed tackles by the Patriots defense.
On the Patriots ensuing offensive possession, Brady drove the Patriots 75-yards in six plays ending with a six-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman.
However, Nugent would miss the extra point wide to the right to make the score 7-6 Washington.
The missed kick might have had an effect on the Patriots decision making as on the next offensive possession, they went for it on fourth and one from the Washington 22-yard-line instead of kicking a field goal.
New England would take a 9-7 lead on a 37-yard field goal by Nugent in the second quarter.
Midway through the second half, New England defensive back Jonathan Jones forced a fumble that was recovered by Jamie Collins on the Washington 16-yard line.
However, New England’s opportunity to extend the lead came to an end when Brady through an interception in the end zone
It is Brady’s second straight week with an interception.
The Patriots would take a 12-7 lead into the break after Nugent would nail a 23-yard field goal with 34 seconds left in the half.
Nugent's Debut
The game saw the debut of Nugent, who the Patriots signed earlier this week to replace Stephen Gostkowski.
Nugent started the game by missing an extra point, before going two for two on field goals to give the Patriots the lead.
The field goals he made were from 37 and 23 yards respectively.
Nugent would convert every other extra point in the game.
Jake Bailey handled the kickoffs in the game.
Patriots Defense Continues Strong Play
Other than giving up a 65-yard touchdown run early in the game, the Patriots defense continued its strong play on Sunday.
The defense gave up just 200 total yards, and 10 first downs while recording an interception, fumble recovery and four sacks.
New England has yet to give up a passing touchdown on the season through five games.
The defense has given up just two total touchdowns the entire year.
Next Up
The Patriots return to action on Thursday, October 10 when they host the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium.
Game time is set for 8:20 p.m.
Related Articles
- Patriots Most Controversial Signings in the Belichick Era
- Patriots Cruise Past Steelers 33-3 in Season Opener
- Patriots Issue Statement on Antonio Brown’s Rape & Sexual Assault Allegations
- Patriots Trade Receiver Thomas to Jets for 2021 6th Round Pick
- Patriots Place 1st Round Pick Harry on IR, Re-Sign Demaryius Thomas
- Patriots Trim Roster to 53 - Some Big Surprises
- NEW: Patriots Acquire Offensive Lineman Korey Cunningham From Arizona
- Patriots Add Offensive Lineman Jermaine Eluemunor in Trade With Baltimore
- Patriots Fall to Giants 31-29 in Final Preseason Game
- NEW: Patriots Trade Cornerback Duke Dawson to Denver
- NEW: Brown to Practice with Patriots on Wednesday - See Belichick Press Conference
- What to Watch For: Patriots at Dolphins
- What to Watch For: Patriots vs Bills
- Patriots Place Brown Grad Develin on Injured Reserve
- NEW: Defense Comes Up Big as Patriots Edge Bills 16-10
- Patriots Place Gostkowski on Injured Reserve
- NEW: Patriots Sign Kicker Mike Nugent to Replace Gostkowski
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It