The Philadelphia Eagles (1-0, 1-0 ATS, 0-1 O/U) are set to face off against the New England Patriots (1-0, 1-0 ATS, 0-1 O/U) in preseason week two this Thursday evening. Last season, the Eagles finished with an 11-6 record and kicked off their preseason with a victory over the Ravens. Meanwhile, the Patriots, who struggled last season with a 4-13 record, secured a win against Carolina in their preseason opener.
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Eagles Secure Narrow Victory in Preseason Opener
The Philadelphia Eagles are looking for improved performance this season after a strong start last year that ended in disappointment during the wildcard playoff against the Buccaneers. The team has made strategic moves, including significant player additions, to position themselves at the top of the NFC. In their preseason debut, the Eagles edged out the Ravens, winning by a slim margin of 16-13.
Jalen Hurts appears ready for another standout season. Although he participated in the opening preseason game, it is likely he will sit out this upcoming match. The Eagles have brought in Kenny Pickett as a new backup quarterback, who previously started for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last season, Pickett threw for 2,070 yards with a 6:4 touchdown to interception ratio, and he accumulated 89 passing yards in the preseason opener. Tanner McKee, the third-string QB, is hoping to bounce back after a challenging first game, where he completed only 6 of 16 passes for 39 yards.
A highlight of the offseason for the Eagles was the acquisition of Saquon Barkley, who previously played for the Giants. Kenneth Gainwell is anticipated to serve as the backup running back, having rushed for 364 yards last season. Rookie Will Shipley, selected in the fourth round of the draft, is expected to see more carries in this game. The receiving corps, while deep, will likely be without stars Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown, allowing rookie Johnny Wilson, a sixth-round pick, to step into a more significant role.
The Eagles’ defense had its ups and downs last season. With the addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, they will rely on the contributions of rookies Quinyon Marshall and Cooper DeJean in the secondary. Their pass defense ranked 31st last season, while the rush defense was stronger, coming in at 10th. Last week, the defense managed to limit the Ravens to just 11 first downs.
In the previous season, the Eagles averaged 25.5 points per game, ranking seventh in the league, while allowing an average of 25.2 points, placing them 30th.
New England’s Young Talent: Drake Maye Aims for Starting Role
This season, the New England Patriots are experiencing a notable shift in leadership and strategy. With Bill Belichick retired, the team has appointed Jerod Mayo as the new head coach and Eliot Wolf as the new general manager. They have also introduced a new offensive coordinator. In their first preseason game, the Patriots, favored by 6.5 points, achieved a convincing 17-3 victory against the Panthers.
The Patriots are currently in the midst of a quarterback competition. Jacoby Brissett is vying for the starting position against rookie Drake Maye, who was drafted as the third overall pick out of North Carolina. Brissett has experience, having played well with the Commanders last season, throwing for 324 yards with a 2:0 touchdown to interception ratio. Maye made his pro debut last week, completing 2 of 3 passes for 19 yards. Bailey Zappe, the quarterback third on the depth chart, threw for 108 yards in the win last week.
Rhamondre Stevenson, the primary running back for the Patriots, played in their last game, making it likely that he will not participate this week. Antonio Gibson is expected to step up as the second-string running back, while Kevin Harris and Jamycal Hasty will likely see more carries.
The wide receiver situation for New England remains uncertain, with significant expectations placed on Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas. Rookie Javon Baker, drafted in the fourth round, managed to capture 11 receiving yards in his debut last week.
On defense, the Patriots shone last season despite injuries. Young cornerback Christian Gonzalez is regarded as one of the league’s promising talents. The Patriots ranked 11th in pass defense and 4th in rush defense last season, successfully limiting the Panthers to a mere 89 total yards.
Last season, New England averaged just 13.9 points per game, ranking last in the league, while their defense allowed an average of 21.5 points, placing them 15th.
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Best Bets for Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots
The Philadelphia Eagles approach preseason games with a different mindset, holding a 2-6 record in their last eight under coach Nick Sirianni. In contrast, the Patriots are eager to foster a winning culture under their new coaching staff.
While the Eagles lack a quarterback competition this preseason, with Kenny Pickett established as the backup, the Patriots are engaged in a fierce battle for the starting QB position. Jacoby Brissett and rookie Drake Maye are competing for the top role, while Bailey Zappe seeks to secure the third spot on the depth chart. Coach Jerod Mayo has indicated that Maye will see increased playing time in the upcoming matchup, providing fans with a glimpse of his potential.
