New England Patriots Take Advantage of Turnovers, Lead Washington Commanders at Halftime

The New England Patriots have flipped the script in Foxboro, this time taking advantage of two costly Washington Commanders' turnovers to take a 14-10 halftime lead.

The New England are finally picking on somebody their own size Sunday in Foxboro. The Washington Commanders are playing a similarly sloppy brand of football that has led to the Pats starting the season 2-6.

Washington committed two first-half turnovers, including an end zone interception by Kyle Dugger that preserved New England's 14-10 at halftime at Gillette Stadium.

The 3-5 Commanders jumped to a 10-0 and had the ball when they let the Pats back in the game. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai punched the ball free from running back Brian Robinson for a fumble that set up Mac Jones' 14-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Henry. On New England's next possession it took the lead on the longest offensive play of the season.

Rhamondre Stevenson took a hand-off and got hole-opening blocks from center David Andrews and right guard Sidy Sow. Free in the secondary, Stevenson's path to paydirt was sealed by another key block by rookie receiver Demario Douglas. The 64-yard run the Pats their 14-10 lead.

It appeared Washington was going to pull ahead late in the half, but Dugger picked off a Sam Howell pass in triple-coverage in the end zone. 

Usually it's the Pats who have committed silly turnovers in losing in Foxboro, but the Commanders kept this game competitive with their two early miscues. One led to a Pats' touchdown and the last one kept Washington from scoring points into halftime.

New England drove on its opening possession but was thwarted on 4th-and-3 when Jones badly overthrew open receiver Tyquan Thornton. The Patriots have still yet to score a touchdown on an opening drive this season.

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