On to the regular season!
The Washington Commanders returned to FedEx Commanders Field for their first game of the 2024-25 preseason. They hosted the New England Patriots, and won their first preseason game 20-10. Washington stopped New England on their first drive, with KJ Henry possibly injuring former Commanders QB Jacoby Brissett. Drake Maye was selected with the No. 3 overall pick, one behind Jayden Daniels, and he took over on the second series, leading the team on a touchdown drive. Maye played the rest of the first half, with Jeff Driskel playing the entire first half for Washington.
1st Quarter
All-Pro Reavo:
Nice tackle by Jeremy Reaves to start this one. Laid a lick on Reagor
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Big gain:
Open Patriots receiver for long gain. That looks familiar.
— Rick Snider’s Washington (@Snide_Remarks) August 26, 2024
KJ Henry sacks Jacoby Brissett:
.@thekjhenry wasted no time
#NEvsWAS NBC pic.twitter.com/55yfmeTGiW
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 26, 2024
KJ Henry was not fooled on that fake and takes Brissett down for a seven-yard sack
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Kaz Allen punt return:
Kaz Allen with the first punt return chance. Good job of faking the fair catch as the ball went into the end zone behind him.
Showing a firm grasp of the role in all ways goes a long way toward him securing the gig, not to mention a roster spot.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 26, 2024
Illegal touching:
Pretty impressive catch by Pringle, although he stepped out of bounds before making it, meaning it’s illegal touching
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Jeremy McNichols:
Fun to watch the battle for RB play out tonight. Jeremy McNichols had a solid chunk of plays to start that drive. He runs hard and adds some versatility as a pass-catcher. Plus the veteran experience is helpful
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Cole Turner drops:
I’ve liked how far Cole Turner has come as a blocker throughout camp. He’s been playing hard and trying to prove that he deserves a roster spot. Those were two tough drops by him though
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Bad snap for Drake Maye:
Drake Maye in at QB now and his first snap is at his feet. Forced to fall on it and now he’s pinned at his own 4-yard line
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
3rd down defense:
3rd and long… and Drake Maye finds a crease.
: #NEvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1CrU2xiPyM— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
Another third-down pickup by New England. They’re inside the Commanders’ 20 now
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Drake Maye:
Maye cooking.
: #NEvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gGKWTMMHej— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
Another 3rd down conversion for Drake Maye and co.
: #NEvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ZeWX1tZLgw— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
Patriots score a TD:
Maye slings it to the outside and Kevin Harris goes airborne for a score @Patriots
: #NEvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/CCtAJIWgDz— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
Kevin Harris dives into the end zone for the Patriots, ending an 11-play, 88-yard drive. The Patriots take a 7-0 lead with 40 seconds left in the first quarter
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Phidarian Mathis:
Phidarian Mathis showed some strength on that last series. will be interesting to see what happens at DT, whether they keep him or Ridgeway. Not sure this D will keep 2 big body dudes as backups. Quickness/speed a premium.
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 26, 2024
2nd Quarter
John Ridgeway:
Ridgeway had another pressure/QB hit on the illegal formation play after that run stop.
— Chris Russell AKA the ! (@Russellmania621) August 26, 2024
Michael Wiley:
Nice moment for Michael Wiley, an undrafted free agent trying to make the roster, to convert that fourth and short. Feels like he, McNichols and Rodriguez are battling for that final RB spot
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Jeff Driskel INT:
PICK! Joe Giles-Harris gets it back for the @Patriots.
: #NEvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/VS2gasCdZe— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
Jayden Daniels:
.@JayD__5 can’t wait until we’re back here Week 2
#NEvsWAS NBC pic.twitter.com/3PmLdysgT8
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 26, 2024
DT KJ Henry:
KJ Henry was working at DT on that play; drew a hold. Second play in a row he was rushing as a DT.
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 26, 2024
Joey Slye missed FG:
7-0 Patriots halftime. Joey Slye misses a field goal at the gun.
— Rick Snider’s Washington (@Snide_Remarks) August 26, 2024
Jeff Driskel’s night:
Jeff Driskel finished the night 12 of 18 for 73 yards and the bad INT. I still think he’s on the roster. Mariota dealt w injury, Hartman dealt w injury. Need to keep 3.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 26, 2024
3rd Quarter
Trace McSorley:
Trace McSorley is now in at QB
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 26, 2024
Cade York’s first Washington FG:
Cade York’s first kick for Washington is good. His 34-yard attempt makes things 7-3 after a 14-play, 54-yard drive
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Sheldrick Redwine INT*:
Sheldrick Redwine just signed and gets an INT. Of course, there is a flag. OF COURSE. THERE IS A FLAG. #RaiseHail
— Commanders Wire (@Washington_Wire) August 26, 2024
Joe Milton scramble:
Imagine Joe Milton III coming at you full speed.
: #NEvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/wu8eW2QrVt— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
Patriots FG:
Ryland hits a 38-yard field goal for New England, ending a 10-play drive with the Patriots going up 10-3
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
4th Quarter
Cade York FG:
Cade York is now 2/2 on the night. He caps off a 55-yard drive with a 33-yard field goal. The score is now 10-6
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Phidarian Mathis:
Ol’ Phi Mathis still making plays when everyone else has mailed it in….Including me.
— Chris Russell AKA the ! (@Russellmania621) August 26, 2024
Cole Turner:
Throw it on a dime
#NEvsWAS NBC pic.twitter.com/O79GdwiMdH
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 26, 2024
Really happy for Cole Turner with that 25-yard catch
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Martavis Bryant:
Nice block from Martavis Bryant on the edge of that TD run. little stuff can matter in 3rd preseason game
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 26, 2024
Michael Wiley TD:
Doing play-by-play when you hang up the cleats one day, @Bwagz? pic.twitter.com/2Op4C7XpeH
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
A+ pylon dive
#NEvsWAS NBC pic.twitter.com/YtB3WshEk0
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 26, 2024
And just like that, the Commanders have the lead. After Martavis Bryant draws a pass interference, Michael Wiley dives for the score. Washington is on top with less than 10 minutes left, 13-10
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Joe Milton big play:
Milton III takes a hit and delivers on the numbers. Matt Landers on the run.
: #NEvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/P16Xw6vzGL— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
Joe Milton is Happy Gilmore. You don’t know where the ball is gonna go, but you know it’s going deep at 90 mph
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 26, 2024
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint:
This a Moss? You decide.
: #NEvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/hZjAf9BUrr— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
Trace McSorley truck stick:
JUST A KID FROM ASHBURN
#NEvsWAS NBC | @McSorley_IX pic.twitter.com/8gGYvy9qAY
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 26, 2024
McSorley just lowered his shoulder on CB Azizi Hearn and knocked him over on the sideline, then with a little staredown. The sidelines went crazy.
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 26, 2024
Martavis Bryant TD:
Martavis Bryant at the goal line!?
: #NEvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/DofOcf0loh— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
Perfect Cade York:
Cade York: 2-2 on FGs; 2-2 on extra points. Exhale. For now.
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 26, 2024