But it was that kind of night for Campbell in the Redskins 27-24 loss to New England. The game ended poorly for Washington — the Patriots’ Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 30-yard field with eight seconds remaining for the win. His kick was set up by a 33-yard punt return by Pat Chung to the Redskins’ 23-yard line.

However, preseason is not about wins and losses. It’s about progress. Campbell and the Redskins’ first offense made some Friday night. Before Friday, Campbell had completed a combined four-of-13 passes in the first two preseason games.

“Jason started strong,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “I’m very pleased. He came out aggressive, accurate. His tempo was usually good. … He played solid.”

Alas, Zorn also pointed out the missed deep ball to Santana Moss. He said there were a couple plays that Campbell would want back. Receivers were open much of the night and not always found.

Still, Campbell completed 13-of-22 passes for 209 yards. He led scoring drives of 69, 91 and 51 yards in the first half en route to a 17-17 halftime tie. Campbell led a touchdown march on the first series, capped by a one-yard Marcus Mason run.

Campbell completed four-of-five passes for 53 yards on the possession; another pass drew a 23-yard pass interference penalty.

After three straight three-and-outs, Campbell ignited another drive by hitting a wide-open Chris Cooley, who turned it into a long run for 73 yards to the Patriots’ 6-yard line. Two plays later Campbell was forced to his left; he faked a pass, got a linebacker to jump and ran in from four yards for a touchdown, making the score 17-14 Patriots.

And on his last drive of the half, he led Washington 51 yards to the Pats’ 7, where Dave Rayner kicked a 25-yard field goal with five seconds left.

“Once you get comfortable and get in a rhythm, everything changes,” Campbell said. “I felt relaxed and comfortable. I felt like I was playing my game.”

“He showed a lot of mental toughness,” Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels said.

But the Redskins’ defense did not do its job against the Pats’ starters, allowing 17 first-half points. The starting defense intercepted two passes, but both came in the third quarter when starter Tom Brady was out of the game.

In the first half, Washington gained 213 yards compared to 186 for New England. The Redskins finished with 384 yards to the Pats’ 286.

The biggest blemish for Washington was 15 penalties for 113 yards.

The second half was about finding out who should be the Redskins’ No. 3 quarterback. Colt Brennan was the only quarterback who played in the final two quarters and he did not do enough to solidify his hold on the job. Brennan completed six-of-12 passes for 81 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Sadly for him, his interception was returned 99 yards for a touchdown. Starting at the New England 3, Brennan failed to lead receiver D. J. Hackett, instead throwing too far inside in the right flat. Jonathan Wilhite made the easy pick.

“I was just trying to squeeze it in there,” he said. “Last year I was taking chances and it seemed like everything was going great. This year it seems like every time I take a chance I pay for it. … When it’s man coverage like that, you’ve got to be able to throw a perfect ball.”

As Wilhite ran downfield, Brennan said, “I was thinking to myself, ‘Are you kidding me?’”

But Brennan rallied for a touchdown two drives later, connecting with rookie receiver Marko Mitchell, who ran a stutter-and-go, down the left side for 33 yards. The pass was perfect.

Mitchell was supposed to run a hitch-and-stop, but when he saw the safety occupied on that side, he ran a go.

“I saw him at the last second and gave it to him,” he said.

Brennan is fighting with rookie Chase Daniel for the No. 3 job, but Daniel did not play as the Redskins try to see if last year’s summer sensation has improved enough to warrant staying.

“His night was a mixed bag,” Zorn said. “He had a couple great throws and yet he showed a lack of experience on the interception. He’ll like some things that he did.”