FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – One other preseason sport, one other win on the wire. The Eagles are closing on this 2024 preseason and on Thursday night time they put collectively a terrific fourth quarter to return from behind and beat New England, 14-13.
A 7-play, 70-yard drive that consumed 3 minutes, 20 seconds and ended with a Kendall Milton 1-yard landing run introduced the Eagles to inside 13-12, after which quarterback Tanner McKee discovered vast receiver Ainias Smith in the best flat, simply contained in the pylon, for the 2-point conversion and the Eagles had the lead.
The protection then stepped up as linebacker Brandon Smith dived on a poor snap that shot previous quarterback Bailey Zappe with 1:47 to go and the Eagles ran out the clock for his or her second straight preseason win and an exquisite option to cap per week in New England.
Quite a bit occurred throughout the week and on this sport, so let’s get to some observations:
1. Edge participant Bryce Huff is coming. He made good performs on the primary two snaps from scrimmage, stopping a operating play after a 4-yard acquire after which studying a display screen go – he was speeding the quarterback after which re-directed and chased down harmful receiver DeMario Douglas after a 1-yard acquire. Very good stuff from Huff there.
2. Large cheers for Avonte Maddox, enjoying at security and doing an excellent job there. He snuffed out a route in the long run zone and picked off a Jacoby Brissett throw supposed for tight finish Austin Hooper after which returned it 47 yards earlier than stepping out of bounds.
3. It is beneath the radar, however keep watch over Kenneth Gainwell this season. He has been superb for the reason that spring and had one other hard-running sport on Thursday night time – 3 carries, 8 yards is nothing particular on the floor – however it was the Eagles’ No. 2 offense going in opposition to New England’s starters and the sledding was powerful.
4. Nakobe Dean is enjoying his greatest soccer. The third-year linebacker led the protection with 5 complete tackles, together with a hustle play when he blitzed after which chased down the go catcher Ja’Lynn Polk and it was illustrative of how Dean by no means quits on a play. The coaches will level that out, little question.
5. Who’s the group’s third tight finish? E.J. Jenkins had himself a ballgame at Gillette Stadium, catching 5 passes for 47 yards, together with a leaping seize on a wheel route. That is going to be fascinating.