New England @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2018 ) Washington 17, New England 26

The New England Patriots are among three NFL teams that are still undefeated, but it may be premature to fast-track them to a fourth straight Super Bowl appearance after they struggled mightily a week ago. After barely keeping their perfect record intact, the Patriots figure to have a much easier time Sunday afternoon when they visit the winless Washington Redskins.

New England did not allow an offensive touchdown in rolling to three lopsided victories to start the season, but it was pushed to the limit in last week's 16-10 win at previously unbeaten Buffalo. “I am frustrated when we don’t play well. I am frustrated when we don’t score points," quarterback Tom Brady said the day after the victory. "I am happy when we win. It’s a lot of mixed emotions." That is not the case with the Redskins, who tumbled to 0-4 with a woeful 24-3 loss to the New York Giants and enter this week's matchup still trying to decide on a starting quarterback. “I have to see some things to make a decision," said coach Jay Gruden, who is choosing between Case Keenum, rookie Dwayne Haskins and Colt McCoy. "In my mind I have a pretty good plan, contrary to belief.”

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -15. O/U: 42.5

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (4-0): New England's offense has managed only 19 points over the past six quarters and Brady was frustrated after failing to throw for a touchdown and finishing with a season-low 150 yards passing on 18-of-39 a week ago. Part of the offense's inability to move could be due to a chest injury suffered by Julian Edelman, who sat out the second half in Week 3 and managed only four catches for 30 yards a week ago. Ben Watson, who missed the first four games while serving a suspension, should provide a boost for an offense that has been tight-end dependent for years. The Patriots had four interceptions and five sacks last week.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (0-4): Keenum was solid in his first two starts, posting a passer rating above 103.0 in each, but he was intercepted three times in Week 3 before getting benched Sunday in favor of first-round pick Haskins, who was picked off three times in a relief role. McCoy, who had been sidelined with a fibula injury and made a pair of starts late last season, received more of a workload at Thursday's practice and could get the nod. Regardless of who is under center, Washington needs to get its ground game untracked -- Adrian Peterson has yet to crack 37 yards rushing in a game. The Redskins have only five sacks and are allowing 251.8 yards passing per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Brady needs 366 passing yards to move past Brett Favre (71,838) and Peyton Manning (71,940) for No. 2 on the all-time list.

2. Washington's Chris Thompson is one of two running backs with at least four catches in each of the first four games.

3. The Patriots placed Stephen Gostkowski on injured reserve and signed fellow K Mike Nugent.

PREDICTION: Patriots 34, Redskins 13