In their preseason finale, the New England Patriots suffered a 20-10 loss to the Washington Commanders, with Jacoby Brissett starting but leaving the game early due to a right shoulder injury. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye took over and showcased his potential, leading a touchdown drive during his time on the field. The Patriots' offensive line struggled significantly, allowing multiple penalties and failing to protect their quarterbacks, which has raised concerns for the upcoming season. Overall, the Patriots faced 18 penalties in the game, which head coach Jerod Mayo criticized as 'undisciplined football.' Despite the loss, Maye's performance may influence the team's quarterback decisions as they head into the regular season. The Commanders rested many of their starters, making New England's loss particularly notable as they had their starters on the field for most of the game.