The Patriots Preseason Opener Against The Washington Football Team

By: Steve Atkinson

The Patriots will host a preseason game Thursday night in Foxborough against the Washington Football Team. This will be the first time since the 2019 playoffs that fans will be in attendance. We will get a glimpse at Cam Newton and the new offensive talent he has to work with. Minus Hunter Henry who is out with a shoulder injury. We will also get a first look at Mac Jones and see how he does with the offense as well. Preseason games mean everything now for the Patriots, not just because of the quarterback position but there are only three preseason games this year.

VIA USA TODAY

Belichick and Ron Rivera are looking to Thursday’s preseason matchup. Here is what Belichick had to say.

“Obviously a good football team, well-coached,” Belichick said, per Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports Washington. “Coach Rivera always did a good job. He did a good job in Carolina and had some success last year in Washington. I think he does a great job having a good, sound fundamental team. They’re tough and physical. So, this is a good opportunity.”

Ron Rivera also had some nice things to say about Belichick.

“I do appreciate watching him and trying to understand the things that he does and watch what happens with his team. He had a dynasty basically, and now they’re rebuilding it, and it’s going to be fun to watch.”

Quarterback Watch Between Cam Newton And Mac Jones

Mac Jones can make a great impression Thursday night if he plays well. The first overall pick has the support of his teammates. Right tackle Trent Brown likes what he sees from the rookie quarterback so far. [pickup_prop id=”7993″] 

“I think he can be special, There’s a lot going on for him right now. This is a different ballgame and with Bill (Belichick’s) defense there’s a lot of moving parts out there. So he’s just gotta settle down and I think he’ll be all right. To be so young, I think he makes some throws that not a lot of young guys can make,” Brown said. “I think it’s all about settling down, honestly, and knowing that you can still play the game. It’s still football. It’s a different level, yeah, but it’s still football.”

How Will The Patriots Receivers Do?

How will the receivers do Thursday night? With Nelson Aghlor, and Kendrick Bourne the one and two receivers. That leaves N’Keal Harry as the third receiver. How will Harry bounce back after his agent demanded he be traded this offseason? Will he play to his ability of a first-round pick so his value can go up? Or will Belichick just keep him out of spite? Regardless Harry has said all the right things publicly about what his agent did.

 “Everything that’s going on off the field, that’s really not my focus at all,” Harry said. “Like I said, I’m focused on becoming a better football player each day, and whatever happens, off the field, happens. I’m not going to worry about that right now.For me, honestly, I could care less what the doubters think,” Harry told reporters. “All I know is there’s a lot of people that are still supporting me and still believe in me, so I want to prove those people right. My family included, my friends, my agent, everybody. I want to prove them right and prove myself right.”

I’m excited to see how Thursday plays out and how this team will all come together. They have a shot to be good and Cam Newton should be better with a better team around him. He has two tight ends right now one in Jonnu Smith, but there is no excuse for him to be bad.