Patriots Live Player Grades, Reactions and Analysis From Preseason Week 2 vs. Eagles originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots are back under the lights for their second test of the preseason, this time facing the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. The Eagles lost their opener last Saturday to the Baltimore Ravens 24-7. The Patriots, of course, played to a 13-13 tie against the Indianapolis Colts.
New England is at Cleveland on Thursday to wrap up preseason action, while the Eagles welcome a visit from the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday to finish their exhibition slate.
While the final score will be secondary, Saturday night's matchup offers another important opportunity for Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff to evaluate a roster filled with intriguing position battles.
The Patriots have several questions to answer along the offensive line, in the secondary and throughout the back end of the roster. For players fighting to survive the final cut, every snap could matter. As always with preseason games, it will be interesting to see who is on the field, and who does not enter tonight's game for both Coach Vrabel and Sirianni.
MORE: How to Watch Patriots vs. Eagles Tonight: Channel, Live Stream & Start Time for Preseason Game
Follow along below for live updates, player grades and more as the Patriots host the Eagles in Week 2 of the NFL preseason. The kickoff is expected for 7pm ET on NFL Network.
5:41 pm ET: We should avoid the rain. It is not all that hot. Clouds in the sky and temperatures just under 70 degrees. Nice to be able to stay dry tonight.
7:00 pm ET: We are set to get underway at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots and Eagles, preseason Week 2!
7:0 5pm ET: The Patriots captains for this game include linebacker K.J. Britt, tight end Jack Westover, Offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, Wide Receiver Efton Chism III, Defensive Tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
7:07 pm ET: The Eagles are kicking to the Patriots, and we are underway. We have an injury right away on the kick return. There is an Eagles player down on the field
7:14 pm ET: We are back underway. It's Tommy DeVito under center for the Patriots. A penalty and a poor pass by DeVito start the offense for New England. A short pass to fullback Lan Larison goes for 28 yards and a first down. Right tackle Marcus Bryant is down on the field, and trainers are attending to him. The former Missouri Tiger OT will give way to Dametriois Crownover. Not a great start with injuries.
7:22 pm ET: New England forced to punt after another penalty. The punt was muffed, but the Eagles recovered.
7:25pm ET: Kind of fun to see Andy Dalton for the Eagles under center. The Patriots force the Eagles to punt and will start their second drive.
7:32pm ET: The Patriots moved the ball a little, but got behind the sticks and could not convert. They will punt back to Philadelphia.
