- WHERE: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
- WHEN: 7:30 pm and (nfl+*)
COMMANDERS: The Commanders and Terry McLaurin have encountered a bump in the road, with the Pro Bowl wide receiver requesting a trade out of Washington as he seeks a contract extension. The team added more depth at the position when it acquired Deebo Samuel. With McLaurin’s contract talks stalled in Washington, the Commanders could rely on Noah Brown, Michael Gallup, K.J. Osborn, Luke McCaffrey and fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane. Head coach Dan Quinn and Co. will get an opportunity to see who could step in if needed. Gallup, among the group, owns the experience and has familiarity with Quinn from their time together in Dallas. Osborn is also a veteran who has filled in nicely when called upon in previous seasons.
PATRIOTS: New England hopes quarterback Drake Maye can take his production to another level in Year 2. In order to help out Maye, the new regime needs to get a much better effort from the ground game. In 2024, Rhamondre Stevenson seriously struggled to protect the ball with seven fumbles (three lost). This week, head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Stevenson, along with other returning players, have a “fresh, clean slate,” but everyone has to be better in 2025. The Patriots also kept Antonio Gibson and drafted TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson, a dynamic player for Ohio State, brings plenty of intrigue to Foxborough. Despite Henderson being listed No. 3 on the unofficial team depth chart, a strong preseason could see him leap ahead of Gibson — if not Stevenson, too — before Week 1.
— Christian Gonzales