BSJ Game Report: Patriots 22, Washington 13 - Mac Jones does what he needs to do

FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ 22-13 win over Washington in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Mac Jones plays with starters, gets extended playing time: It wasn't exactly a thrilling debut, but it was significant for Mac Jones. He had no glaring issues and led the team on two scoring drives in five possessions. Jones finished 13 for 19 for 87 yards and a 78.2 rating. Kristian Wilkerson did have two drops — including a potential 22-yard touchdown pass that was perfectly placed — and Jakobi Meyers caught a pass that was ruled incomplete but not challenged by Bill Belichick. So, in reality, Jones should have been 16 of 19. It was significant that Jones got time with the first-team offensive line, and that he was asked to run a two-minute period out of halftime. Jones didn't have a three-and-out until the final two drives, but the first was three handoffs, and the second featured a Wilkerson drop and then a sack when no one was open.

Jones' impressive debut should kick the competition up a notch in the Eagles' joint practices. The fans couldn't contain their excitement over Jones, and the overriding theme was the Patriots' offense looked like the Patriots offense again — something that has been happening in practice. 

Cam Newton leads scoring drive: Newton went three and out on his first drive after Isaiah Wynn couldn't block Chase Young and nearly got Newton killed. On his second and final possession, Newton was 4 of 6 for 49 yards. He had a downfield throw to Meyers, but then it was short stuff like a Jonnu Smith crosser, two passes to James White ... but the drive stalled when Newton rushed a screen to White and threw it too hard inaccurately.

Basically, both QBs did exactly what we expected them to do from practice. 

Patriots stay healthy: Always one of the most important things in the preseason. Matthew Judon went off, but came back. Same for Josh Uche. Looked like the Patriots stay relatively healthy outside of a late Myles Bryant injury where he appeared to injure his shoulder. Promising depth player in secondary.

SECOND GUESS

Not sure what the point was having Jones go out there after the two-minute drive to start the second half. The backup offensive line almost did some permanent damage, especially when Korey Cunningham and Justin Herron both missed cut blocks and got Jones crunched. 

FOUR UP

Matt Judon/Josh Uche: Both continued their strong camps by being impactful on the field for multiple plays.

Mac Jones: Did exactly what he needed to do. Now, we see how Belichick reacts in the Eagles practices.

Quinn Nordin: Right until he missed an extra point, the Michigan rookie had fans ready to cut Nick Folk after making all three of his field goals down the middle from 35, 50 and 40 yards.

Rhamondre Stevenson: Two touchdowns including a 91-yard jaunt will open a few eyes. He's had a lackluster camp as a rookie.

THREE DOWN

N'Keal Harry: His only target was a little 4-yard drag. Other than that, he looked exactly like last season.

Defensive line: The Patriots kind of got pushed around a bit there on the defensive interior, which was a surprise.

Harvey Langi: Seemed like he missed more than a few tackles in this one.

INJURIES

DB Myles Bryant (right shoulder) appeared to be the only potentially big injury.

Not dressed for the game:

WR Nelson Agholor
QB Jarrett Stidham
RB Brandon Bolden
S Adrian Colbert
LS Joe Cardona
LB Anfernee Jennings
DT Christian Barmore
C David Andrews
TE Hunter Henry

Physically unable to perform list: CB Stephon Gilmore (quad), QB Jarrett Stidham, DE Chase Winovich, LB Terez Hall, DT Byron Cowart.
Non-football injury list: LB Cameron McGrone (knee), S Joshuah Bledsoe (wrist).

TOP PLAYS

THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

QB competition is on: If you had any doubts, or listen to people who don't know what they're talking about, you should be set straight after tonight. You saw what we've seen the entire time. It took us one practice to say that Jones was going to be a factor sooner rather than later. Still not sure Jones has enough time to win Belichick over for the season opener, but he's going to be the QB at some point very soon. 

It's going to be a long week for the Patriots' defense: I expected them to be a lot better than this, especially against a bad offensive line. They were fine and Washington didn't kill it, but they did have three drives of at least 10 plays in the first half. That shouldn't happen against that team.

Don't bury Nick Folk: We told you in mini-camp, before anyone else even noticed Quinn Nordin, that the ball just sounds different off his foot. He has vast potential, but I have a hard time seeing Belichick going with a rookie who was erratic just last year in college. But we'll see. Nordin needs to make sure that extra point doesn't linger, or this will be over quickly.