11 observations from the Eagles’ win over the Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Another preseason game, another win at the wire. The Eagles are closing in this 2024 preseason and on Thursday night they put together a terrific fourth quarter to come 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 touchdown run brought the Eagles to within 13-12, and then quarterback Tanner McKee found wide receiver Ainias Smith in the right flat, just inside the pylon, for the 2-point conversion and the Eagles had the lead.

The defense then stepped up as linebacker Brandon Smith dived on a poor snap that shot past quarterback Bailey Zappe with 1:47 to go and the Eagles ran out the clock for their second straight preseason win and a wonderful way to cap a week in New England.

A lot happened during the week and in this game, so let’s get to some observations:

1. Edge player Bryce Huff is coming. He made nice plays on the first two snaps from scrimmage, stopping a running play after a 4-yard gain and then reading a screen pass – he was rushing the quarterback and then re-directed and chased down dangerous receiver DeMario Douglas after a 1-yard gain. Very nice stuff from Huff there.

2. Big cheers for Avonte Maddox, playing at safety and doing a very good job there. He snuffed out a route in the end zone and picked off a Jacoby Brissett throw intended for tight end Austin Hooper and then returned it 47 yards before stepping out of bounds.

3. It’s under the radar, but keep an eye on Kenneth Gainwell this season. He has been very good since the spring and had another hard-running game on Thursday night – 3 carries, 8 yards is nothing special on the surface – but it was the Eagles’ No. 2 offense going against New England’s starters and the sledding was tough.

4. Nakobe Dean is playing his best football. The third-year linebacker led the defense with five total tackles, including a hustle play when he blitzed and then chased down the pass catcher Ja’Lynn Polk and it was illustrative of how Dean never quits on a play. The coaches will point that out, no doubt.

5. Who is the team’s third tight end? E.J. Jenkins had himself a ballgame at Gillette Stadium, catching 5 passes for 47 yards, including a leaping grab on a wheel route. This is going to be interesting.