Commanders vs. Patriots Turns Defensive

The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are wrapping up the preseason on Sunday night at Commanders Field in Landover, MD.

New England quarterback Drake Maye drove his team 88 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead in their second drive of the game. Defenses then took over and forced four consecutive combined punts.

On the Commanders fourth drive, the New England defense stepped up and forced the first turnover of the game. Quarterback Jeff Driskel was looking across the middle and didn’t see the linebacker in the middle of the field.

Third-string linebacker Joe Giles-Harris picked off the pass and returned it four yards to the Washington 41-yard line. The Patriots were called for a personal foul which backed the ball up to their own 44-yard line.

Defense on both sides is stepping up to the challenge as the Commanders forced a punt following the turnover. The offenses are struggling to move the ball as players on both sides put their best foot forward to either make the team they are playing for, or put their best game tape together for the other 31 teams.

Related: Commanders Trail Patriots 7-0 After Late First-Quarter Touchdown in Preseason Finale

Both Commanders’ Dan Quinn and Patriots’ Jerod Mayo are former defensive coordinators and their hand prints are all over this game.

These teams were both in the bottom of the league last year, but fans are hoping that a new defensive identity will take their teams to new heights this year.