New England looking great at 8-0

PATRIOTS 27, REDSKINS 10

foxborough, mass. » It was a little more than 10 minutes into the game, and the score was already lopsided.

New England touchdowns: 2. Washington total plays from scrimmage: 1.

Julian Edelman and LeGarrette Blount had already scored by the time the Redskins snapped the ball a second time, and the Patriots remained unbeaten on Sunday with a 27-10 victory over Washington.

Despite being held to a season low in points, New England’s chance at another 16-0 regular season was never threatened. The Patriots took advantage of an onside kick and an interception to open a 14-0 lead before the Washington defense could catch its breath.

“I just felt like we never had the ball in the first quarter,” Washington coach Jay Gruden said. “I just never felt like we got in a rhythm.”

Tom Brady completed 26of-39 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns, including an 8-yard TD to Edelman on the opening drive. New England (8-0) then pulled off a surprise onside kick, but that drive stalled when Edelman fumbled.

Washington could manage only a single play: Kirk Cousins’ pass bounced off Pierre Garcon and was intercepted by Logan Ryan. New England then marched down the field to make it 14-0 on Blount’s 5-yard score.

“We had a good drive early, had an opportunity to get on top and play from ahead,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “That was definitely helpful.”

Washington (3-5) managed just 15 total yards in the first — most of it on a 9yard pass for the Redskins’ first first down on the final play of the quarter. But the Patriots weren’t done, tying an NFL record by scoring in 31 straight quarters — every one this season except the first quarter of the first game.

Cousins was 22-for-40 for 217 yards but was hurt early by seven dropped passes. Washington managed only a second-quarter field goal before Cousins hit Jordan Reed for a 3-yard touchdown with 25 seconds left.