Coming into the game, there was a great deal of talk about the Redskins' physical and effective secondary, and Washington started the game in a 4-2-5 formation. So how did New England respond?

By running the ball, and running effectively.

Laurence Maroney got the ball on the Pats' first two plays from scrimmage, and went for first downs on both, slicing through the middle for 11 yards on his first carry and sweeping left for 13 more on the second. In all, Maroney picked up 36 yards on the drive, which ended with a three-yard Tom Brady touchdown run.

It was a good day for the second-year back, who missed much of the preseason recovering from shoulder surgery, and also missed three games with a groin injury before returning to limited duty last week in Miami.

"It's good to have him back," Heath Evans said. "He brings an energy to the running-back crew. He has speed, finesse and a playmaking ability that has been missed."

Maroney finished with 112 yards from scrimmage, including his first two catches of the season. A pass up the left sideline on second and 12 gained 25 yards and set up New England's second touchdown.

"When Tom [Brady] hit him on that seam pass … he made a nice run on that, cut back to the outside, broke a couple of tackles in the running game," Bill Belichick said. "He showed his strength, breaking out of a couple of tackles."

-SHALISE MANZA YOUNG