Preview: Patriots vs. Redskins

Tonight marks the all-important third preseason game where we get a chance to see the starters play the majority of the game. Here's what I will be looking for:

-Tom Brady, who has played three quarters in the first two games, should play into the second half tonight. We've seen Brady throw the deep ball, throw TDs, get knocked down, and have a few overthrows, so tonight will be a good opportunity where Brady is really at.
-It will be interesting to see the first-team offense operating as a whole for an extended period of time. Last week the Patriots ran a four-wide spread set in the first and only quarter the first-team was in, but lets see who will be in the backfield and how the offense looks with Brady under center.
-Will we see the 3-4 defense that opened up last week or the 4-3 that we saw the majority of the first preseason game. Keep an eye who is where in whichever front seven opens and what answers we will have to these questions. Who will play next to Vince Wilfork in a 3-4 set? Ron Brace? Richard Seymour? Myron Pryor? What type of impact will Derrick Burgess have at DE? Where/when will Ted Bruschi play? Keep a special eye on third down packages and who comes in and out in the sub packages.
-Who will start opposite Leigh Bodden at CB. Last week it was rookie Darius Butler with Shawn Springs at the nickle back. Jonathan Wilhite should suit up tonight too, so we will see what the corner back pecking order looks like.
-Julian Edelman hasn't practiced all week, so don't expect to see the versatile youngster. Perhaps we'll see fellow rookie Patrick Chung returning punts tonight. Of course we always have Faulk and Welker when we need a veteran to be a possession returner inside of our 20-yard line.
-Will we see the likes of TE Ben Watson, RB Sammy Morris, and LB Paris Lenon, all of whom have not seen the practice field too much this preseason.

The game is at 8 o'clock tonight on channel 4. Go PATS!