Patriots
The Patriots are slight favorites at dwelling this weekend in opposition to a three-win Commanders staff that traded away two of their high gamers on the deadline.
COMMENTARY
Sunday morning’s Kansas Metropolis-Miami showdown however, have you ever seen the remainder of this week’s lineup within the NFL? P-U-Ok-E.
By no means thoughts the banality of Commanders-Patriots. How about 3-5 Indianapolis at one-win Carolina? The two-6 Giants vs. the 3-5 Rams? That Chicago-New Orleans recreation isn’t attracting a whole lot of eyeballs, which might be why Tiki Barber is on the decision.
I suppose Washington’s journey to New England ought to be thought of probably the most intriguing among the many lot of snoozefests this weekend although. Is Invoice Belichick going to kill two birds with one stone by beating Washington, thus serving to his draft place when he heads off to teach them subsequent season?
Is Mac Jones inevitably going to make sufficient errors that Bailey Zappe Fever begins its annual rounds? Can the woeful Patriots offense do something in opposition to a Commanders protection that each one however modified its brand to a white flag on the buying and selling deadline this week? It’s possibly probably the most offensive one they’ve ever had.
That is how New England’s “winnable” stretch of video games begins. Following the Commanders, the Patriots face off in opposition to the Colts, Chargers, and Giants. There’s not a whole lot of purpose why these are “winnable” aside from we’re nonetheless form of used to the Patriots being a worthy opponent, which they’re not.
Winnable? The Patriots are 2-6. One win was an outstanding comeback in opposition to the Payments that they very properly might have misplaced. The opposite was in opposition to the Jets, a recreation they gained by a literal fingertip. What precisely is taken into account “winnable?”
The Commanders? Possibly. Simply don’t maintain your breath.
This week’s predictions:
Neil Greenberg, Washington Publish: Patriots (-3.5).
Globe workers: Everybody likes New England, besides Nicole Yang, who goes with the Commanders (+3).
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports activities: Patriots 24, Commanders 16. “The Commanders have main points on protection, after which traded away their two high edge gamers this week. However the New England offense is restricted. So what provides? I believe at dwelling the Patriots are the choose. When two dangerous groups meet, take the house staff, particularly in opposition to one with a foul protection.”
CBS Sports activities workers: 5 of seven choose New England (-3.5).
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Instances: Patriots 19, Commanders 16. “Neither staff goes anyplace. New England’s protection has been taking part in a bit higher these days, and that’s not excellent news for Commanders QB Sam Howell, a sack magnet. The house staff wins on protection.”
ESPN workers: 5 of seven take the Pats.
Michael Hurley, CBS Boston: Washington (+3.5). “You recognize, it’s simply … you’d sit down at 1 p.m., and also you’d virtually be overloaded. Matchups you have been so excited to see play out on TV. RedZone firing on all cylinders, plus a heat snack, a chilly drink. Nothing beat it! I don’t know. We do have Sam Howell vs. Mac Jones now so possibly it’s not so dangerous.”
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports activities: Commanders (+3). “I don’t actually love taking Washington after they traded two good defensive linemen. Additionally, it’s a must to marvel in regards to the motivation of a staff after the entrance workplace has waved the white flag. However I do suppose the Washington offense is making strides and the Patriots simply aren’t good.”
Sheil Kapadia, The Ringer: Commanders (+3.5). “At 2-6, the Patriots have the worst document within the AFC. Leaguewide, solely the Panthers and Cardinals have fewer wins. There’s a situation right here the place Washington quarterback Sam Howell is sacked six occasions and has three turnovers and the Commanders look lifeless, provided that they only misplaced two of their finest gamers. However based mostly on what I’ve seen from this Patriots offense all season, there’s no method I’m taking them to cowl greater than a discipline purpose right here.”
MMQB workers: 4 of seven like New England.
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting Information: Patriots 27, Commanders 24. “The Commanders and Patriots’ defenses have a whole lot of holes in downfield protection and their go rushes are inconsistent. This turns right into a bizarre shootout between Sam Howell and Mac Jones. Invoice Belichick will discover a technique to put heavy strain on the oft-sacked Howell and take away the center of the sector. In the meantime, Jones will see extra issues open up downfield and shield the ball higher.”
Invoice Bender, The Sporting Information: Commanders 20, Patriots 19. “The Patriots rank thirty first within the NFL in scoring at 14.8 ppg.; an indictment of simply how dangerous the offense has been this season. Washington has been in a free fall. Sam Howell’s safety was a lot better within the loss to Philadelphia. The Commanders have allowed 30 or extra factors 5 occasions, however they’re 2-2 S/U on the highway.”
Mike Florio, Professional Soccer Speak: Patriots 24, Commanders 20. “There aren’t many apparent wins left on the schedule for the Patriots, who’re sixteenth out of 16 groups within the AFC.”
Chris Simms, Professional Soccer Speak: Patriots 24, Commanders 20.
It says right here: Commanders 27, Patriots 17. I don’t know the way the Patriots are going to attain 17 factors both.
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