Patriots fall to Eagles, 25-20: Quick observations from Week 1 loss
The Patriots were unable to claw back from a 16-point deficit in the first quarter.
Despite the pomp of Tom Brady’s halftime ceremony and the evident energy that the legendary QB’s return brought to a rainy Gillette Stadium crowd, the Patriots were unable to translate that spark into a win against the Eagles.
With Brady in attendance in Foxborough, the Patriots fell into an early hole against the reigning NFC champion Eagles, relinquishing 16 straight points in the first quarter en route to an eventual 25-20 loss.
Here are some quick takeaways from Sunday’s Week 1 loss.
A brutal start
The Patriots’ offense did manage to right the ship as Sunday’s game carried on against the Eagles.
But you’re not going to win most games when you trail by 16 points in the first quarter.
The first drive of New England’s revamped offense under Bill O’Brien yielded strong returns early on, with multiple substitutions and formations allowing New England to operate with pace and move the ball with authority.
But all of that momentum went to the wayside after a high throw from Jones was bobbled by Kendrick Bourne and picked off by Eagles CB Darius Slay en route to a 70-yard pick-six. It gave the Eagles a 10-0 lead after converting on field goal during their opening drive.
New England’s woes piled up on its next offensive drive, with Ezekiel Elliott fumbling the ball on the Patriots’ first play, giving Philly the ball on the Patriots’ 26-yard line.
Just four players later, Jalen Hurts hit DeVonta Smith for a five-yard touchdown to give Philly a 16-0 advantage.
As noted by ESPN Stats and Info, Sunday marked the largest deficit the Patriots have faced in the 1st quarter of a game since 2013 vs. the Broncos (17).
Offense rights the ship … but run out of steam
For most of the first half, it looked like the same offensive woes that doomed New England in 2022 were set to carry over into the new year.
After their first two disastrous drives, the Patriots followed that up with three straight 3-and-out sequences, leading to boos from the Gillette Stadium stands.
But as the minutes continued to tick off the clock going into the half, New England’s offense finally awakened.
Jones and the Patriots got on the board off of a 10-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a red-zone score from Hunter Henry, making it a 16-7 game with 4:39 left in the half. Jones completed throws to seven different receivers on the scoring drive.
Once New England’s defense forced a 3-and-out, Jones and the Patriots struck again, with a 19-yard score from Kendrick Bourne capping a six-play, 58-yard drive from the Patriots.
A few stalled drives limited New England’s ability to carry that momentum into the second half.
But an efficient fourth-quarter drive that chewed up 75 yards off of six plays ended with Bourne’s second TD grab of the day, making it a 25-20 game.
A huge hit from Jabrill Peppers on Hurts led to a fumble recovery by the Patriots on the next drive. But Jones and the Patriots were unable to orchestrate the game-winning drive, with New England turning the ball over on downs off of four plays.
Another fourth-down stop by the Patriots defense gave New England another shot to complete the comeback, but it once again ended on downs.
Sunday was an improvement over the Matt Patricia offense from 2022, but there’s still plenty to sort out.
Jones finished 35-of-54 for 316 passing yards, throwing for three touchdowns and one interception. Six different players for New England recorded at least 60 receiving yards.
Defense bends, doesn’t break
Despite the 16-0 deficit in the early going, New England’s defense largely kept the team in this one.
After Smith’s five-yard score in the first quarter, the Eagles went 3-and-out on their final four complete drives of the first half — giving New England an opportunity to claw back in this one.
Belichick clearly had faith in his defense as the game progressed, even opting for the offense to go for it on a 4th-and-3 from Philly’s 17 in the fourth quarter, rather than opt for a field goal.
Considering how dynamic the Eagles’ offense can be, the Patriots will likely take a defensive showing like this, especially after those first-quarter lapses.
Still, the Eagles did manage to pad their lead as the game progressed, with their first three drives of the second half resulting in three field goals.
But in the fourth quarter, New England’s defense did what it could to set up the offense for an impressive comeback. After Peppers’ forced fumble, the Patriots D forced another turnover on downs for the Eagles to give Jones one more shot in the final minute of the game.
Costly penalties sap momentum
The Patriots had sustained stretches of strong play against Philly on Sunday. But a number of ill-timed penalties limited the team’s ability to either get off the field or capitalize in critical moments.
During the drive that gave the Eagles a 16-0 lead, Deatrich Wish sacked Hurts, which would have given the Patriots a 3rd-and-14 situation. But a defensive holding on Kyle Dugger resulted in a 1st-and-5 for Philly, with Smith reeling in a touchdown catch just seconds later.
The Patriots had another promising drive in the third quarter that carried them into Eagles territory, only to get pushed out of field-goal range following holding penalties by Hunter Henry and Atonio Mafi.
O-line holds up against Eagles pass rush
The top mismatch going into Sunday was New England’s porous O-line against an Eagles pass rush that led the league with 70.0 sacks in 2022. Those concerns were magnified after it was announced that starting guards Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu were ruled out for Week 1.
But give credit where it’s due. Whether it be O’Brien’s offensive gameplan that got the ball out quick on multiple passing sequences, or some sturdy play by a patchwork unit up front, the Eagles were held to two sacks in Sunday’s game.
Brady returns, to be inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame next June
Sunday also marked Tom Brady’s return to Gillette Stadium, with the legendary QB signaling the start of pregame festivities by ringing the new bell atop the stadium’s refurbished lighthouse.
During halftime, Brady took to the field and took part in his signature run down the sidelines and fist bump before joining Robert Kraft for a ceremony in the north end zone.
As part of the festivities, Kraft announced that the team will waive its usual waiting period and will induct Brady into the Patriots Hall of Fame in a special ceremony at Gillette Stadium on June 12, 2024.
In case you missed Brady’s speech and the full ceremony, you can watch it here.
Rookies stand out
Several Patriots rookies made their NFL debuts on Sunday and impressed. Keion White regularly generated pressure against a slippery QB in Hurts, while Christian Gonzalez and Marte Mapu (earning heavy snaps at safety) also performed well in containing Hurts. Gonzalez even recorded his first sack off a corner blitz in the fourth quarter.
Odds and ends
Matthew Judon was once again a force up front for New England’s defense, finishing with a sack and two QB hits.
Some brutal timing for Elliott on his costly fumble in the first quarter. Over the last two seasons, Elliott only had one fumble on 532 touches.
It’s not every day you have Jon Bon Jovi on hand to conduct a singalong of “Livin’ on a Prayer”
Quite the grab here from Henry, which helped New England convert on a 4th-and-8 situation in the fourth quarter.
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Follow along here for live updates from Sunday’s season opener in Foxborough, and check back once the game wraps for some early observations.
LIVE UPDATES:
7:42: Patriots can’t convert on offense and fall to the Eagles, 25-20.
7:31: Patriots defense comes up big again. Eagles can’t convert on 4th and 3 and Jones and Co. take over again.
7:26: Alas, Patriots can’t convert on the drive. Eagles take over with 2:20 left.
7:25: Oh man. Peppers rocks Hurts and forces a fumble.
Patriots recover and are on the Eagles’ 41 with 3:27 left.
25-20 game.
7:10: Another field goal from Elliott. 25-14 Eagles.
7:02: Patriots win the challenge, Brown’s catch is overturned. Huge break for New England.
6:59: 48-yard catch from Hurts to Brown. Ooof. Looks like New England is challenging it.
6:56: New England can’t convert on another 4th-down spot, and turn the ball over on downs. Philly takes over on New England’s 17. Opted to not kick a field goal.
6:53: Gutsy play by the Patriots offense — Henry reels in a one-handed grab on 4th and 8 to extend a drive.
6:50: 22-14 Eagles.
6:40: End Third: Eagles lead, 19-14.
6:38: A closer look at Brady’s on-field celebration:
6:37: In case you missed it, here’s a full transcript of Tom Brady’s speech to the Gillette Stadium crowd.
6:36: That’s a momentum-sapping drive from the Patriots offense. In field-goal range, and a pair of holds push them out of the range.
6:22: Eagles take a 19-14 lead — quite the kick from Elliott to give Philly some breathing room.
6:00: A very cool scene for the Brady’s retirement ceremony, including news that the Patriots will induct Brady into the Patriots Hall of Fame in a ceremony within Gillette on June 12, 2024.
5:49: PATRIOTS TOUCHDOWN: Another effective drive run by Jones ends with Jones hitting Bourne for a 19-yard touchdown. 16-14 Eagles with 25 seconds left in the half.
Quite the response after a nightmare start.
5:40: Another strong showing for the Patriots defense, which leads to another Philly punt. Patriots could have a double-score opportunity here.
5:34: PATRIOTS TOUCHDOWN. Hunter Henry reels in a 9-yard throw from Jones in the red zone.
7-0 Patriots.
A much-needed response from the Patriots offense, espeically after a few strong series from the defense.
10-play, 71-yard drive.
5:33: Demario Douglas logs on. 23-yard pickup from the rookie.
5:30: A first down for the Patriots? Gesicki and Smith-Schuster move the chains for the Patriots. Kendrick Bourne nearly reeled in a deep throw for the Patriots — but a bit too much air on it from Jones.
5:19: Another 3-and-out. More boos from the Gillette crowd.
5:15: Another solid showing from the Patriots defense, as they force another punt. Need the offense to step up on this drive, especially starting on their own 43.
Matt Judon has been as advertised. Just five total yards on the Eagles last two drives.
5:11: The Patriots’ first four drives on offense:
Pick-6
Fumble
3-and-out
3-and-out
5:08: Nice starting position for the offense off a Marcus Jones 21-yard return, but Patriots can’t extend the drive. Another punt.
More boos.
5:04: Nice response from the Patriots defense, as they force a punt to end the first quarter. Still 16-0 lead for the Eagles.
4:55: Meanwhile, Jimmy Garoppolo just threw a touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers.
4:53: Patriots offense stalls once again — and now the boos begin. No momentum gained from a 43-yard return from Montgomery.
4:50: Nothing short of a disaster to start for the Patriots, who now trail 16-0 with 2:39 left in the first quarter.
Two turnovers on offense completely hinder some of the good looks that O’Brien drew up, including a Zeke fumble. Can’t have that happen.
4:44: Ooof, pick-six from Darius Slay. 10-0 Eagles.
What a brutal stretch for the Patriots, who generated plenty of momentum on that first drive.
4:42: Welcome to Gillette, Ezekiel Elliott — 11 yard pickup.
4:41: Some good and bad from New England’s defense, but good plays out of the gate from rookies in Keion White and Marte Mapu. Plenty of pressure generated from White, and Mapu earned some snaps at safety.
4:40: New England’s defense bends but doesn’t break.
Eagles reel off a 14-play drive, but Matt Judon sacks Hurts on a 3rd and 8 at the 8-yard line to stall out the drive. Elliott converts on a field goal to give Philly a 3-0 lead.
4:25: Chad Ryland kicks it off — and the 2023 Patriots season is underway.
4:23: Patriots win the coin toss — and they defer.
4:16: Tom Brady has arrived — and opens the festivities atop the Patriots new lighthouse.
Seems like the Patriots will treat this like the Seahawks’ flag raising with their special guests.
4:12: Man, it is really downpouring here at Gillette Stadium.
4:11: More Patriots down on the sideline:
4:08: Might be worth keeping tabs on this lighthouse during pregame festivites.
4:07: Looks like Adrian Phillips is taking over for Devin McCourty as the vet who addresses the team during warmups.
4:06: No real surprise, but Marcus Jones earned most of the looks at returning punts.
4:05: No pressure for Chad Ryland, but Nick Folk is 5-for-5 today for the Titans.
4:03: Looks like Zappe is back in his usual spot at QB2.
3:53: Based on warm-ups, this is the O-line the Patriots plan on rolling out to start tonight:
LT Brown
LG Mafi
C Andews
RT Sow
RT Anderson
Two rookies out there in Mafi and Sow, while Anderson (who missed the whole preseason due to illness) will get thrown out there in a tough matchup against Haason Reddick.
3:48: Not exactly the most encouraging O-line grouping out there on the field right now.
3:46: Quite the photo here:
3:40: Deion Branch is also here.
3:38: Mac Jones and the Patriots are out on the field for the start of warmups:
3:34: Chad Ryland one of many Patriots rookies set to make their NFL debut tonight.
3:25: More former Patriots are here:
3:20: Sure feels like this place is going to lose it tonight.
3:18: Both Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte could be in line for steady reps today with Parker out, but that’s a significant loss for the team. Parker’s ability to reel in 50-50 balls is a major hit.
3:15: Not a lot of set backup options for the Patriots with both Strange and Onwenu out.
Expect rookie Atonio Mafi to slot into one of the team’s starting spots at guard, while a rotation of other players like Sidy Sow, Jake Andrews and recently acquired tackles like Vederian Lowe/Tyrone Wheatley Jr. could be moved over to the other vacancy at guard.
There is still no set starter in place for right tackle, with veteran Calvin Anderson likely tabbed as the next man up in what should be a daunting matchup against Haason Reddick (16.0 sacks in 2022).
3:04: No Strange, Onwenu, or Parker for New England. That Eagles pass rush might feast tonight against the Patriots.
2:58: Sure seems like there’s going to be a ton of former Patriots on hand for today’s ceremony.
2:52: A whole lot of No. 12 jerseys in the stands today.
2:50: Brady is back.
2:45: A steady rain falling here at Gillette, even as players begin to stretch out on the field. Very similar weather to the last time Brady was at Gillette with the Bucs in October 2021.
2:30: Welcome back to Gillette Stadium, everyone. Heard there’s a big game here today.
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