The Eagles are 2-0 within the preseason they usually might have obtained extra solutions as to what they could appear to be defensively.
The Eagles beat the lowly New England Patriots, 14-13, on Thursday night time behind a really sturdy efficiency by QB3 Tanner McKee.
The Eagles did lose guard Tyler Steen to an ankle damage.
Offensively, the Eagles began Fred Johnson at left sort out, Trevor Keegan at left guard, Brett Toth at middle, Steen at proper guard, the place he’s projected to start out, and Darian Kinnard at proper sort out. Joseph Ngata, John Ross and Britain Covey had been the receivers, C.J. Uzomah was the tight finish and Kenneth Gainwell was the working again behind Kenny Pickett.
“We weren’t as clear as we wish to be,” Pickett mentioned. “There was numerous good, however positively some unhealthy we will be taught from.”
It’s preseason, so there’ll at all times be a wealth of sloppy play. However preseason or not, the Eagles did give you clutch performs in clutch moments to win.
Up entrance defensively, the Eagles confirmed Thomas Booker and Moro Ojomo inside, Nolan Smith Jr. and Bryce Huff on the sides, with Devin White and Zack Baun at linebacker, Avonte Maddox, first-round choose Quinyon Mitchell, Kelee Ringo, James Bradberry and Isaiah Rodgers had been within the secondary. Bradberry and Maddox had been the safeties.
There was some unhealthy, some ugly and a some good within the Eagles’ 14-13 win over the New England Patriots.
The Good
Linebacker Zack Baun seems like he’s getting it, for somebody who has not performed inside linebacker earlier than. Baun flew across the area with numerous power final week within the Eagles’ preseason opener in Baltimore, although his effort didn’t produce a lot outcomes. On the primary play of the Pats’ second drive, Baun scraped, learn and reacted, stopping New England working again Rhamondre Stevenson on the line of scrimmage. Baun is coming down hill and attacking, which is precisely what defensive coordinator Vic Fangio desires from his linebackers.
Nickel nook Avonte Maddox’s finish zone interception to cease the Pats’ second drive and arrange Jake Elliott’s 42-yard area. Maddox is a top quality NFL defensive again—when wholesome. That has been the cloud hanging over him. A wholesome Maddox in the direction of the tail finish of final season might have been a giant assist in probably turning the sway of the 1-6 swoon.
Quarterback Tanner McKee driving the Eagles 70 yards on seven performs to a go-ahead rating on Kendall Milton’s 1-yard TD plunge with 4:23 left to play. Throughout the drive, the Eagles didn’t have one third down, with McKee going 5 for six for 69 yards. The large play was McKee’s 28-yard completion to Joseph Ngata. McKee completed 15 of 19 for 140 yards and a 97.4 QB ranking. McKee might have made an announcement to push Kenny Pickett to be QB2.
Ngata was fairly spectacular, catching 5 passes on 5 targets for 88 yards, together with the fourth-quarter move that arrange the Eagles’ lone landing.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean confirmed some flashes of what made him a star at Georgia. Dean was among the many staff leaders in tackles, making 5 stops, 4 solos. He noticed numerous motion and was making performs within the open area, and stopping the run. He might have been hampered by a foot damage early in coaching camp, and proper now, he appears wholesome. That has been his one evident concern—staying wholesome sufficient to remain on the sphere.
Kenny Pickett for the second-straight week regarded stable. He accomplished 11 of 13 for 67 yards, although he was sacked 4 instances for minus-24 yards, which can have extra a mirrored image on the Eagles’ twos on the offensive line.
The Dangerous
In two video games, the Eagles have been flagged 12 instances for a mixed 95 yards. In opposition to the Patriots, the pricey flag got here when Smith was penalized for a roughing penalty. Nick Sirianni likes to choose on the little issues. That is an space that might use some cleansing up.
The Ugly
Nolan Smith getting flagged for a roughing name in opposition to Pats’ first-round choose Drake Maye. It moved the ball to the Eagles’ 35 and arrange New England’s first factors. Smith ought to have been extra below management.
Edge rusher Bryce Huff seems like he’s pondering an excessive amount of and never reacting quick sufficient. He regarded good just a few instances, whereas on various performs he took a flawed angle, the place he took himself out of the play, and nonetheless different performs when he appeared to not have any thought what he was doing. Fangio has been politically crucial about Huff thus far this offseason. Huff nonetheless has numerous rising to do to grow to be a stable every-down defensive finish.
The Eagles’ third offensive line. They regarded stable final week in opposition to Baltimore and left Pickett scrambling for his life Thursday night time. There was no cohesion, which is definitely typical for a gaggle that has not performed collectively in any respect.
