Patriots-Commanders film review: TreVeyon Henderson, rookies shine and 23 more takeaways

Published: Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 9:00 am

Patriots Dominate Commanders in Preseason Opener

In their preseason opener, the New England Patriots secured a decisive 48-18 victory over the Washington Commanders. The Patriots, unlike their opponents, opted to play many of their key players early in the game, quickly establishing a 17-0 lead. The team's performance showcased both established players and promising rookies.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson made an immediate impact, returning the opening kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown. He also contributed on offense with both rushing and receiving plays. Rookie cornerback DJ James impressed with an interception, while undrafted rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III caught six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Joshua Dobbs had a mixed performance, with some inaccurate passes. Rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson showed promise in the run game, though they had some issues with pass protection. Rookie receiver Kyle Williams had a better performance than his box score indicated, despite a drop.

Defensively, the Patriots showed potential, with defensive tackle Khyris Tonga generating pressure. However, the defense struggled to generate sacks, and some players missed tackles. Special teams also saw positive contributions, with Javon Baker making two tackles.

BNN's Perspective: The Patriots' strong showing in the preseason opener is encouraging. While it's important to remember this is just a preseason game, the performance of the rookies and the overall team execution are positive signs for the upcoming season. The coaching staff will need to address the defensive issues, but the team appears to be heading in the right direction.

Keywords: Patriots, Commanders, Preseason, TreVeyon Henderson, DJ James, Efton Chism III, Joshua Dobbs, Will Campbell, Kyle Williams, Defense, Special Teams, Rookies, Football.

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