BSJ Game Report: Commanders 20, Patriots 10 - Offensive line a mess as Maye impresses again

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Commanders in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Jacoby Brissett injured, exits early: The veteran was supposed to play a series or two, according to Jerod Mayo before the game, but that was limited to eight plays and 29 total yards because of the right shoulder injury sustained on this sack allowed when Sidy Sow and rookie Layden Robinson collided, throwing off the timing of the intended tight screen to the left.

Brissett did stay in the game, completed a 6-yard pass to Jaheim Bell and threw a really nice deep pass down the left sideline to KJ Osborn, who only put up one hand. So it doesn't seem too bad.

The Patriots announced Brissett's injury and that he was questionable to return.

"He would've been able to continue," Jerod Mayo said after the game. "He said he was good. We'll find out tomorrow."

Starting offensive line was a trainwreck: The Patriots unveiled, with Vederian Lowe out with injury, their new-look starting line (san David Andrews, who did not play): LT Chuks Okorafor, LG Sidy Sow, C Nick Leverett, RG Layden Robinson, RT Mike Onwenu.

To say it was a dumpster fire would be an insult to dumpster fires.

To wit: 

• Brissett sacked/injured when Sow and Robinson collided
• Fumbled shotgun snap by Leverett
• Fumbled under center snap between Drake Maye and Leverett
• JaMychal Hasty -2 run
• Robinson false start
• Okorafor illegal formation (declined)
• Harris -1 run
• Okorafor illegal formation (declined)
• Robinson holding penalty
• Sow holding (declined)
• Onwenu illegal formation (declined)
• Sow injured (right ankle)
• Michael Jordan holding
• Okorafor illegal formation negates 48-yard touchdown pass, Maye to Osborn
• Maye was hit hard at least three times

And that was just the first half!

This was, without a doubt, one of the worst displays of NFL offensive line play I have ever seen in my 20 years covering the NFL. I've been saying this hasn't been Matt Patricia bad. Well, this was worse. Absolutely embarrassing.

Drake Maye goes under center more, continues to impress: It sure seems like the next checkmark for Maye was to show he can operate under center in this offense and while it wasn't perfect - he had another fumbled snap and looked a little slow with his footwork getting away from center - it was pretty good, all things considered. In fact, I thought this was his best play of the game - something that will catch the eye of Alex Van Pelt:

Under center. Playaction. Moves up in the pocket, makes the right decision and delivers a strike. This is operating in this offense.

Maye finished 13 of 20 for 126 yards, 1 TD and a 99.2 rating. It would have been better if Okorafor didn't line up offsides for the third time on this play, which took advantage of a Commanders coverage bust.

Did not play: Julius Peppers, J'Whaun Bentley, Kyle Dugger, Jonathan Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, Raekwon McMillan, Joshua Uche, Vederian Lowe, David Andrews, Calvin Anderson, Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry, Mitchell Wilcox, Christian Barmore, Deatrich Wise, Davon Godchaux, Oshane Ximines, Armon Watts.

THREE UP

RB JaMychal Hasty: Looked to lock up a roster spot with seven touches (3 for 3 on catches) for 55 yards.

QB Drake Maye: Continued the confidence he showed since the Eagles joint practice and keeps checking boxes. His arm strength and playmaking ability was again on display. He's making this a real conversation. Amazing how far he's come in just under two weeks.

LBs Christian Elliss/Joe Giles-Harris: The two players battling for one or two roster spots stood out. Elliss had 11 tackles (one TFL) and Giles-Harris had an interception and five tackles.

THREE DOWN

LT Chuks Okorafor: Three illegal formation flags?! Are we serious?

RG Layden Robinson: It was basically a trainwreck for the rookie who had impressed so much the last three weeks. He might not be ready for primetime.

CB Azizi Hearn: Had a penalty and gave up the late TD pass.

INJURIES

QB Jacoby Brissett (right shoulder) was questionable and did not return.

LG Sidy Sow (right ankle) was ruled questionable and then downgraded to out. It didn't look good. 

LB Joe Giles-Harris was questionable and did not return.

LB Christian Elliss (head) walked off, returned but then was rule out.

TOP PLAYS

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

There is no way in hell I'm putting Drake Maye on the field until I know the offensive line can function and is settled - and that won't be until multiple games in the regular season: This was an absolute trainwreck. Brissett got injured. Maye could have been injured.

I don't care that he can move, that he can run, that he can throw from different angles. There is way too much risk involved here. If Brissett isn't good, there is plenty of time to put Maye in, win games and set the course for the future.

Plus, Maye is still pretty clunky under center, although that's another area where he's rapidly improving.

I had him for seven plays under center (might have been more without penalties):

2 of 2 passing for 43 yards.
Fumbled snap
4 rushes, 17 yards (there was a hold on one)

If it's up to Van Pelt, I think this is the next huge checkmark on him getting into games for extended playing time. There's a ways to go, but the arrow is pointing up.

Could Kayshon Boutte soon be traded?: I might be wrong, but I don't think he played tonight. I'm pretty sure he was healthy. Maybe they are trading him. Or maybe they are trying to stash him on the practice squad. Or maybe he violated rules. Just thinking out loud.

On second thought, the official gamebook lists him as having played.