Preseason Patriots remain perfect with shutout win over Eagles
The Patriots built off a strong preseason-opening victory over Washington and then some on Thursday night, as Bill Belichick’s squad improved to 2-0 on the summer by way of a dominant 35-0 win over the Eagles.
And there wasn’t a second of doubt in this one.
After the Eagles picked up two quick first downs, a botched snap sent Joe Flacco scrambling and with the Patriots in pursuit, Matthew Judon and Jalen Mills hounded him down before Judon knocked the ball loose again and allowed the ex-Eagle Mills to recover the ball at the nine-yard line.
The Patriots made ’em pay, too, with a five-yard dash from Damien Harris through the Philly defense for a quick lead.
On the offensive side of the ball, Patriots quarterback Cam Newton put forth a tremendous showing, with an 8-for-9 throwing line featuring 103 yards and a touchdown on a 28-yard connection with Jakobi Meyers.
.@jkbmyrs5 goes 28 yards for the TD!
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2021
📺: @wbzsports / @nflnetwork / Patriots app pic.twitter.com/6S021DCarZ
More: Newton shines against Eagles
Not to be outdone, the first series of the evening from 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones was as punishing as it was surgical, as the Patriots went 91 yards on 17 plays (totaling just over nine minutes of game action) on the way to a Rhamondre Stevenson one-yard rush for a New England touchdown.
The third quarter came with more of the same for the Pats, too.
It was in the third frame that McDaniels’ offense added another 16 points by way of two more rushing scores (another from Stevenson after J.J. Taylor found the endzone to begin the second-half barrage), as well as a much-needed field goal make from Quinn Nordin after the rookie’s night included a missed field and goal and pair of missed extra-point tries.
Jones finished his night 13-for-19 throwing the ball for 146 yards.
Taylor finished the night with a team-leading 93 rushing yards on 12 carries, and also contributed with catches on all three of his targets for 18 yards in the passing game. Also included in his nightly total: One ridiculous spin move out of trouble.
WHAT. A. MOVE.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2021
🌀🌀🌀 @21Jjtaylor 🌀🌀🌀
📺: @wbzsports / @nflnetwork / Patriots app pic.twitter.com/GyyWaliQ19
In addition to their three takeaways, the Patriot defense dominated the Eagles’ one-two of Joe Flacco and Nick Mullens, as they finished the night with completions on just 15 of their 32 total passes and totaled a mere 110 passing yards.
The Patriot defense also got to either Flacco or Mullens for four total sacks, and it would’ve been five had a defensive holding penalty not negated a would-be Nick Thurman sack on Mullens late in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots will wrap up their 2021 preseason schedule Sunday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. against the New York Giants.
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
