Eagles Sloppy Win Over Patriots By 25-20 In Week 1

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 25-20 on Sunday thanks to a touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts and a 70-yard interception return by Darius Slay. The Philadelphia Eagles had a commanding early lead and held on to win.

Two early turnovers by the Patriots were taken advantage of by the Eagles, ruining the day’s festivities for New England, which honored former quarterback Tom Brady at halftime.

Hurts completed 22 of 33 passes for 170 yards and the touchdown, but in the fourth quarter, he fumbled badly, giving the Patriots a chance. For Philadelphia, who failed to reach the end zone after the first quarter, Jake Elliott made four field goals.

Mac Jones of New England overcame a shaky beginning to complete 35 of 54 passes for 316 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Kendrick Bourne caught two touchdown passes. The other touchdown reception was made by Hunter Henry, helping the offense outgain the NFC champion Eagles 382-251.

Late in the fourth quarter, New England was behind 25-14 until Jones’ 11-yard touchdown pass to Bourne pulled them within 25-20. Jones attempted a 2-point conversion run, but it was unsuccessful because of a holding penalty.

Hurts ran for eight yards to start the Eagles’ subsequent series, but he fumbled after being struck by Jabrill Peppers. With 3:28 left, Marcus Jones recovered and gave New England a chance to attack the Philadelphia 41.

Jordan Davis and Josh Sweat ended that Patriots possession with a second-down sack. When Hurts’ pass to Smith was broken up, Philadelphia failed to move the ball and lost it on downs at the New England 44.

With 1:02 remaining, Jones connected with Mike Gesicki for a 17-yard pass, giving the Patriots possession at the 19. Jones, though, was unable to evade Jalen Carter on second down and was either sacked or dropped.

Kayshon Boutte seemed to reel in a grab inside the 10 on fourth-and-11. Replay analysis revealed that he had just one foot within the boundary.

In order to move past a disastrous 2022 by a team that finished in the bottom half of the NFL, New England signed Bill O’Brien as their offensive coordinator in the offseason.

An unimpressive debut was caused by injuries to the offensive line.

The Patriots started youngsters Antonio Mafi and Sidy Sow at left and right guard, respectively, because starters Cole Strange (knee) and Mike Onwenu (ankle) were both out due to injuries. Early on, Jones was under pressure from an Eagles defensive line that was feeling the absences.

A pick-6, a fumble that resulted in another Eagles touchdown, and three straight three-and-outs by the Patriots concluded their first five drives of the game, giving the Eagles a 16-0 advantage.

However, the Eagles’ offense threw four straight punts to close the halftime score to 16-14 for New England.

When Elliott’s 48-yard field goal attempt smacked against the left upright and through, Philadelphia led 22-14 going into the fourth quarter.

When Jones connected with Henry for 12 yards, New England regained control and beat a fourth-and-8 situation from the Eagles 36. With a fourth-and-3 situation at the 12, the Patriots again went for it, but Ezekiel Elliott was unable to catch a short ball from Jones.

With 5:33 remaining, Jake Elliott made his final field goal, a 51-yarder.

11 out of the 12 rookies selected by the Patriots were dressed. The exception was cornerback Isaiah Bolden, who had a head injury during New England’s second exhibition game and is now on injured reserve.

Nakobe Dean, an Eagles linebacker, left the game in the second half due to a foot injury. Fletcher Cox, a defensive tackle, was injured in the fourth quarter and had to leave.