New England Patriots: 3 key day-after takes on the Philly game
The New England Patriots totally demolished the Philadelphia Eagles back-ups last night, with the final score being 35-0 in favor of the Pats.
This was a complete win for the New England Patriots as they went into Philadelphia, practiced with the Eagles for two days, and then proceeded to decimate the Birds on their home turf. Here are three key takes to report on after that nice thrashing, indeed!
3 key takes on the New England Patriots convincing win against the Eagles
Before we all get the space ready on the Gillette Stadium wall for banner number seven, let’s remember that this is only a preseason game.
It’s nothing more or nothing less. It was essentially played against Philly’s back-ups. So, just what are you supposed to do against such a squad?
Right, crush them, and that’s exactly what the Patriots did. They dismantled whoever the Eagles put against them. And mostly with their backups.
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It’s darn nice to see it, is it not? You bet. It was especially nice to see Cam, “check down Newton” as he was derisively called by an Eagles defensive back, blister the Eagles with all kinds of throws in his brief appearance.
The quarterback play from New England was stellar all night long. Both the aforementioned Cam Newton and rookie Mac Jones were impressive.
Newton silenced critics with a laser show of throws downfield and short on an eight for nine performance in a limited cameo role.
It may have been a short time on the field, but that adds up to about an 89 percent completion rate. Not too shabby for a guy his determined critics say can’t “wing it”. Hardly.
Mac Jones came on with the backup offense and again had a “pedestrian” 68 percent completion percentage, on 13 of 19 passes. Ho-hum. Jones is very good, and consistently very good.
And, as in last week’s game against Washington, Jones again had another long, perfect pass dropped by one of his receivers. This time it was N’Keal Harry.
Mac Jones is the real deal, folks. Take away the two drops and the one completion that Bill Belichick failed to challenge (for whatever silly reason), and this guy would be at about a 70 percent completion percentage in his first two NFL games.
Take a second to process that stat. That could have been (and will likely later be at some point), a 70 percent completion rate in his first two games.
If/when the Patriots line this young phenom up with some actual NFL-caliber receivers and tight ends, there’s no telling what he could accomplish.
And to be clear, Newton had no tight ends of any note to throw to either. This space has clamored for the acquisition of another tight end. They need one, or two. Hopefully they go get one/two.