Patriots vs. Commanders prediction, pick, odds for Sunday’s NFL preseason Week 3 game

Patriots vs. Commanders Odds

Sunday, Aug. 25

8 p.m. ET

NFL Network

Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NFL odds here.

• Patriots vs Commanders point spread: Patriots -6.5 | Commanders +6.5
• Patriots vs Commanders total: Over/under 34.5
• Patriots vs Commanders moneyline: Patriots -280 | Commanders +230

The spread moved drastically from the opening number of Commanders -2.5 after it was announced that Jayden Daniels is done for the preseason. Now, New England is favored by 6.5 points, and the total has shifted up a point to 32.5.

Dylan Wilkerson's Patriots vs. Commanders Preview

As always with preseason it comes down to starters and how much we're going to see from the first-string units, and most importantly the quarterbacks.

We've had some clarity on that heading into this game, with news that Jayden Daniels has been confirmed as the Week 1 starter for the Commanders. Dan Quinn has also revealed that we won't see Daniels at all on Sunday, which sadly deprives us of a chance to see the second and third round picks of this year's NFL Draft meet in the preseason.

The absence of Daniels means we're going to see Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel and Sam Hartman share reps, and potentially Trace McSorley. Washington's QB room is somewhat experienced, but they have combined for exactly zero passing touchdowns in the preseason so far.

Unlike the Commanders, we haven't yet heard who'll be starting under center in Week 1 for New England, but reading between the lines with the coach speak and Jacoby Brissett taking first team reps in practice, you have to believe that he is going to be the starter, at least in the short-term until Drake Maye can overtake him.

It looks like we could see all four QBs on the Pats' roster play this Sunday with Brissett potentially seeing some time, as well as Maye, Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe. There's plenty to play for though, Zappe is currently fourth on the depth chart and will want do everything possible to grab that third spot. Meanwhile, Maye understands a strong performance could speed up the process of supplanting Brissett as QB1 for the Patriots.

How to Watch Patriots vs. Commanders Live: Start Time, Channel, Location

Patriots vs. Commanders will be broadcasted live on NBC, as well as local television coverage. Patriots-Commanders is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday night at Commanders Field in Landover, MD.

My Patriots vs. Commanders Prediction

We've seen the Patriots score a combined 30 points across both preseason games, while the Commanders have scored only 23; and they scored just six points against the Dolphins last time out. Those recent performances don't breed confidence in this game going over the number at a total of 33.5

Add in the fact that we're likely to see a lot of quarterbacks coming in-and-out of the game, and it's going to lead to a game with plenty of starting and stopping, and one which is unlikely to generate coherent offensive play.

Grab the under one last time before the regular season starts.

Pick: Under 33.5 (-110)

Patriots vs. Commanders Betting Trends

• 50% of bets and 90% of the money are on the Patriots to cover the spread.
• 61% of bets and 68% of the money are on the under.

All data via Action Network's public betting percentages and as of Saturday evening.