The Washington Commanders faced a tough loss against the New England Patriots in their preseason opener, falling 48-18. The game showcased rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, who made an impressive 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. However, the Commanders sat 30 key players, including Jayden Daniels and Bobby Wagner, which led to their struggle. Special teams faltered with two significant plays against them, despite last season's strong performance in this area. The new Pro Bowl kicker, Matt Gay, missed a critical 49-yard field goal but later converted a 37-yarder, leaving fans anxious. Quarterback Sam Hartman had a challenging outing, completing only 9 of 19 passes with an interception, while Josh Johnson showed promise in relief. The absence of star receivers like Terry McLaurin highlighted the challenges faced in the game, but optimism remains for improvements in upcoming preseason games.