By. Dan Ryans
WASHINGTON–The Washington Football Team played a preseason game for the first time since 2019. Most aspects of the team shined during the 22-13 loss against the New England Patriots. Here are three takeaways from last night’s events:
1. Chase Young is still a stud
Right out the gate, Chase Young showed us once again why he was Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. Not only did he repeatedly beat left tackle Isaiah Wynn in 1-on-1 battles, but Young also put a lot of pressure on QB Cam Newton. One play, in particular, was early in the first quarter. The Patriots were on 3rd & 8 at their own 22-yard line and on that play, Chase Young easily got by Wynn and manhandled Newton for what looked like a sack and a fumble at the time. Unfortunately, the ruling on the field was changed to an incomplete pass, and Young was credited only with a QB hit. That doesn’t matter though. It still didn’t change the fact that he wasted no time showing the league his dominant force on that defensive line.
2. All 3 QB’s were excellent
Let’s start off with Ryan Fitzpatrick and what else can you say about the 17-year veteran. He ended the night going 5 of 8 with 58 yards. On top of that, his early connections at camp with receiver Terry McLaurin and tight end Logan Thomas were easily noticeable. One of his first passes was to McLaurin for a 22-yarder on a 2nd & 7. Later on, Fitzpatrick converts a pass on 3rd & 10 to Thomas for 24 yards. If Fitzy can keep this up throughout camp and into the season, this offense should be in good shape.
Taylor Heinicke was next after Fitzpatrick’s two series and let’s just say, he was solid as well. He struggled at first with an incompletion and a sack. However, he rebounded quickly with two big completions to TE John Bates and WR Steven Sims, Jr. He even led Washington down a scoring to put them up 7-6 at the end of the half. Heinicke ended his night going 9 for 15 with 86 yards, pleasing head coach Ron Rivera. “Taylor picked up right where he left off,” said Coach Rivera after the game. “I think he’s a high-dynamic energy type player. He did a lot of good things, made some good decisions, and I like who he is as a football player right now.”
Rookie Steven Montez capped off the night for quarterbacks with a nice performance of his own completing 17 of 24 passes, for 108 yards, one touchdown, one interception. His lone TD pass to Lamar Miller came late in the fourth to pull Washington within two points.
3. Keep your eyes on undrafted rookie Jaret Patterson
Standing at 5’8, 195 pounds is Prince George’s County, Maryland native Jaret Patterson. A 21-year old lifelong fan of Washington Football, Patterson said after the game that making his NFL debut with his hometown team is a dream come true. “It’s a blur, man. It’s been unreal. The feeling was unbelievable…My mindset was whenever I get the opportunity, I was going to take advantage of it and show these coaches…I belong in the NFL.” And he certainly did show out last night as he led the squad with a total of 40 yards rushing and added 30 receiving yards on 14 touches.
The Sports Insanity Network 