Washington vs. Patriots NFL preseason odds, spread, pick: Cam Newton vs. Mac Jones quarterback competition truly begins for New England

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said entering training camp that veteran incumbent Cam Newton was the team's starting quarterback but that rookie Mac Jones could still win the job. By all accounts, Jones has closed the gap, but Newton is expected to start the Patriots' preseason opener at home Thursday night against the Washington Football Team, which is a 2-point favorite on the Caesars Sportsbook odds (click link for model pick). SportsLine also offers updated odds on the Pats' regular-season Week 1 starting QB.

It's likely that Newton only plays one or two series Thursday – he knows the offense and doesn't need the reps. Jones should then play several series before giving way to veteran journeyman Brian Hoyer, who may or may not make the team. The fourth QB on the roster, Jarrett Stidham, is out injured.

Borrowing some great information from the Athletic as here is how it reports how Newton and Jones – who has been wearing No. 50 in camp but will switch to his permanent No. 10 tonight -- have compared thus far:

*-Newton completed 103 of 165 passes (62.4 percent) with seven interceptions and seven drops in competitive team periods and was 43-for-78 (55.1 percent) with two picks in 11-on-11s against the starting defense.

*-Jones completed 124 of 186 passes (66.7 percent) with three picks and 11 drops in competitive team periods and was 33-for-68 (48.5 percent) with one interception in 11-on-11s against the starting defense.

Make of that what you will. How might Jones fare in his debut?

There was obviously no preseason last year but in 2019 in Stidham's NFL preseason debut, he was 14-for-24 for 179 yards, a TD and no picks against Detroit. In 2014 vs. Washington in his preseason debut, Jimmy Garoppolo was 9-for-13 for 157 yards with a TD and no picks. Ryan Mallett lit up the Jaguars in his 2011 preseason debut, going 12-for-19 for 164 yards, a TD and no picks. Hoyer was 11-for-19 for 112 yards vs. Cincinnati in his debut. Matt Cassel 13-for-21 for 135 yards and a TD in his 2005 debut vs. Cincinnati. 

Finally, a guy named Tom Brady played briefly in the 2000 Hall of Fame Game as a rookie vs. the 49ers and was 3-for-4 for 28 yards.

Meanwhile, Washington coach Ron Rivera says he will play all his healthy starters Thursday with Ryan Fitzpatrick locked in as the No. 1 QB. How long will Fitz be out there? The team will "play him enough." Presumably, Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen will see most of the action as they battle for the No. 2 job.

New England is 14-7 SU in Week 1 preseason games under Belichick. This is Rivera's preseason debut with Washington. On the Early Edge show, this writer took Washington at -2 because of the better QB situation. 

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Who will start regular-season Week 1 at QB for the Patriots?

• Cam Newton -300
• Mac Jones +230

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