New England Patriots (0-1) – Philadelphia Eagles (1-0): 20-25
For this first week, the finalists from the last Super Bowl travel to Bill Belichick and the Patriots. A Patriots team that is looking like a scratch this season. While the Eagles led 16-0, Jalen Hurts (23/33, 170 YDS, 1 TD) and his teammates relaxed. Result: they almost got trapped by the Patriots who took a quarter before definitively entering the match.
Catastrophic first quarter for the Patriots
The first quarter reflected the pre-season form of both teams. The Eagles advance, and score points. The Patriots advance, but give up points. Like Mac Jones (35/54, 316 YDS, 3 TDs, INT) and Ezekiel Eliott (7 races, 29 YDS, 1 FP), not brilliant for his first with the Patriots. Philadelphia takes advantage, and even drives home the point with a new touchdown signed DeVonta Smith (7 REC, 47 YDS, 1 TD).
Then, nothing more on the Eagles side, unlike the Patriots. New coordinator Bill O’Brien is inspired, and Mac Jones gets sharp. He finds Hunter Henry (5 REC, 56 YDS, 1 TD), then Kendrick Bourne (6 REC, 64 YDS, 2 TDs) to come back to the score. For the Eagles, the 2nd quarter was an ordeal. 4 offensive series, 4 punts, and above all no first attempt won.
Kendrick Bourne on the verge of being forgiven
The 2nd period is painful. The Patriots do not capitalize on their very good 2nd quarter. The Eagles are barely moving forward, with an achievement bordering on the ridiculous. Like Hurts’ fumble, who forgot to slide, losing the ball to Marcus Jones. Unfortunately, despite a touchdown from Kendrick Bourne, guilty of Darius Slay’s interception returned for a touchdown, the Patriots did not benefit from Nick Sirianni’s questionable choices in attack on the Philadelphia side.
Free warning for Philadelphia, where we will have to be more convincing next week against the Vikings. As for the Patriots, this defeat is encouraging as they face the Dolphins and their explosive attack in a week.
Kendrick Bourne pulls the @Patriots within 5!
📺: #PHIvsNE on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/hLIXo69CEm— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
