Eight insights from the Patriots’ preseason finale in Washington

According to my live replay, Maye had five plus and three minus throws. These are the ups and downs of a 21-year-old rookie, but his talent is evident. Maye made critical decisions, maneuvered well through the pocket with good balance, and flashed his ability to make big plays in and out of structure. Had it not been for the eighth penalty of the half against the O-line, we would have seen Maye’s unscripted play on a 48-yard touchdown to KJ Osborn.

Maye’s physical skills are all over his film from the last two preseason games. The progress he’s making in his footwork and timing should get him on the field soon. At this point, it’s a question of whether Maye can protect himself well enough by rearranging the checkerboard before the snap. If he can do that, he should play because he brings critical energy to the offense.

3. Starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett plays eight snaps and receives a heavy blow to the right shoulder during the sack

The Patriots’ current starter ran a series and the offense moved the ball into Washington territory. However, a sack on first down derailed the attack and injured Brissett’s right shoulder. In his postgame press conference, coach Mayo said Brissett could have returned to the game if it had been the regular season.

As for his performance, Brissett took advantage of a failed Commanders coverage to score on third down by finding RB Antonio Gibson in the flat. He also threw a catchable deep ball to KJ Osborn late in the down that should have been a big play on third-and-11. Brissett’s preseason stats remain mediocre, but he also had significant problems on the offensive line. Brissett’s availability is an important consideration heading into the regular season.

4. Newly configured starting quarterback does not solve Patriots O-Line problems

The Patriots entered the starting lineup we expected to see against the Bengals in Week 1: LT Chuks Okorafor, LG Sidy Sow, C Nick Leverett, RG Layden Robinson and RT Mike Onwenu. Of course, captain David Andrews, who had the night off against the Commanders tonight, will take Leverett’s place in the starting lineup if we really go for it in Cincinnati.

New England’s goal of finding its “best five” on the offensive line in training camp reached a turning point when fourth-round pick Layden Robinson moved into the starting lineup. Robinson had a strong summer, showing excellent power and a good initial breakout of his stance. Onwenu kicks out to right tackle to make room for Robinson, which is a question mark as that is not Onwenu’s best position, but big Mike has proven to be an above-average right tackle.

At left tackle, there appears to be a position battle between Okorafor and Vederian Lowe that will continue into the regular season. Lowe isn’t healthy right now, so Chuks got the nod. The Pats have to get through the season at left tackle, which they’ll leave to Lowe and Okorafor. While that could be risky, the other four-fifths of the line with one of their rookie draft picks is the best case scenario.

As for their performance, the starting lineup was frankly bad in the first half. It started with a sack, multiple quarterback pressures, and two bad snaps by Leverett, and then culminated in eight (!) penalties in the first half: false start, Okorafor lining up in the backfield three times at the snap, Onwenu committing the same penalty once, and three holds. To make matters worse, starting LG Sidy Sow (ankle) left the game due to injury.