It was a lot better than the preseason showing in Baltimore a week ago but the same result for the Eagles when New England quarterback Behren Morton found undrafted rookie receiver Nick Gennaro for a 37-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds remaining.
The Patriots went on top 24-21 on the late-game heroics, something that held up when Quintayvious Hutchins raced by Cameron Williams en route to a game-sealing strip sack of Cole Payton to secure things for New England.
It was a step forward for the reshaped Philadelphia offense with Sean Mannion operating from the booth. Six first downs in Baltimore turned into 18 against the Pats and an 0-for-9 showing on third down improved to 4-for-11.
For the second consecutive week, the starters sat, this time after two mid-week joint practices with the Patriots in advance of the game.
There was still plenty to talk about, however, including a confidence-building performance by Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee, and a all-time preseason showing by Olympic-level hurdler Carson Steele.
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THE BULLS
QUARTERBACK LIFE
The fact that Andy Dalton started for a second consecutive week could have been the final signal that the veteran is the backup quarterback.
If that didn’t seal the deal, Dalton’s play in the Eagles’ second possession could have when he found a chemistry with Darius Cooper, complementing Will Shipley’s nifty work in the ground game.
The numbers weren’t great from there, though, and Quez Watkins didn’t help Dalton at the catch point at all.
McKee then came in and kept the competition alive, looking sharp by attacking the flats with pick routes. It was simple stuff to Steele and Cam Latu, often from the gun, that put McKee right back into the conversation to backup Jalen Hurts.
The confidence returned for McKee with some success. He finished 16 of 22 for 173 yards with two touchdowns and a 125.8 passer rating.
SHIP-SHAPE
Shipley was spectacular behind a second-team offensive line that dominated. The third-year running back ran it 11 times for 56 yards and a 5-yard touchdown.
FLATS OF STEELE
McKee pounded the Pats defense with simple flat throws, particularly to Steele, including a 20-yard TD with 3:39 left in the game where the UCLA product hurdled the defender, his second leap of the game. Steele had six receptions on seven targets for 84 yards and the TD in the game.
FOOTBALL IQ
Eight minutes into the game, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who is having a strong summer, had already figured out Tommy DeVito’s cadence and burst through the line for a 4-yard sack. A play later, the Patriots’ second possession ended.
WILLIE THE GREAT
The starting offensive line was really clicking. From left to right it was Fred Johnson, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, Jake Majors and Markel Bell and the group won time and time again at the point of attack.
Lampkin has been tremendous, engaging defenders and playing through the whistle. At one point he and Kendall pushed the Pats defensive front about seven yards into the end zone.
TERRIFIC TY
The light has gone on for second-year defensive tackle Ty Robinson, who looked dominant during his stint on the field and finishing with two sacks from the interior. The big man from Nebraska finally looks like he’s having fun out there just days after being described as being on life support.
BRADEN’S BOMB
The Eagles moved the football much better this week but when Braden Mann was needed, he delivered. The veteran was at his best when uncorking a 63-yard bomb.
FEEL GOOD MOMENT
In the third quarter international product Josh Weru recorded his first sack in just his second game, playing meet at the QB and beating teammate Jose Ramirez to Morton.
THE BEARS
INJURIES
A scary moment on the opening kickoff when backup running back Ja’Quinden Jackson took a knee to the head and was taken to a local hospital. The good news was that Jackson had feeling in all his extremities, so you’re likely looking at a potential concussion. Injuries are never good in any environment but seem especially hollow when suffered when the wins and losses don’t count.
Jackson’s agent, Damien Butler, later released a statement relaying that his client was “awake, has full movement and use of all four limbs, and his CT scan came back negative.”
BALL SECURITY
The normally reliable Britain Covey attempted to buy field position by racing up to catch a short punt in the first quarter and let the football get into his chest, and it bounced away from him. Covey was able to recover the football, but any flub could open the door for others to look at for the punt return job.
In Covey’s next attempt, he made a questionable decision by catching the punt at the 2-yard line but made up for it with a 21-yard return. Overall, Covey returned all four punts in the game and Elijah Moore got no opportunities.
Covey also had a 14-yard TD reception from McKee late in the second quarter.
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