Patriots Observations: Struggles From Starting Offense Raises Concerns

FOXBORO, Mass. — It was a good opportunity for the New England Patriots starting offense to build some momentum with the Philadelphia Eagles not playing most of their starters.

But that unit for the Patriots went backward in Thursday’s 14-13 loss to the Eagles at Gillette Stadium.

The lowlight from New England’s first-team offense over the three series of action it saw came when Jacoby Brissett did his best Mac Jones impersonation. The veteran quarterback forced a throw attended for a well-covered Austin Hopper into the end zone on third-and-3 from the Eagles 8-yard line and it was easily picked off by Avonte Maddux.

That certainly wasn’t a great moment, but not much else was good with Brissett under center. He completed just 3-for-7 passes for 17 yards as the Patriots tried to lean on Rhamondre Stevenson and the running game. But Stevenson didn’t have much room to operate in front of New England’s question-filled offensive line, making the offense look like it has over the last few seasons.

The Patriots had two three-and-outs in its first three series and gained just 39 yards in 15 plays, good for a measly 2.6 yards per play.

That type of performance won’t inspire much confidence in the offense with the regular-season opener just a little over three weeks away.

Here are more observations from the Patriots-Eagles preseason game:

— The offense sure looked different when Drake Maye entered the game to start the second quarter. He looked poised in the two quarters he played and led the Patriots on two scoring drives. While much has been made about his powerful right arm, Maye showcased his athleticism. He ran the ball four times for 15 yards, including keeping a zone read for a 4-yard touchdown.

— The Patriots defense, especially the front seven, didn’t skip a beat even without Matthew Judon, who was traded Wednesday night to the Atlanta Falcons. They generated plenty of pressure even if it didn’t come against Philadelphia’s starters. It looks like with Judon gone the Patriots will use a committee of players to get to the quarterback as Joshua Uche, Deatrich Wise Jr., Oshane Ximines and Keion White each registered a sack.

— The Joe Milton III hype train slowed down after a standout showing in the preseason opener. Milton wasn’t as sharp, completing 2-for-7 passes for 20 yards while running three times for nine yards. He also was sacked twice.

— Bailey Zappe was the fourth and final quarterback on the field for the Patriots — he came in with just over two minutes remaining. That clearly signaled his position on the quarterback depth chart, making it likely he won’t stay with New England when the Patriots trim down their roster.

— Christian Gonzalez hasn’t performed well in camp and he didn’t change any notions with how he played. He played just two series and got beat by backup wideout John Ross on a third down to move the chains for the Eagles.

— Jalen Reagor could be a real asset for the Patriots in the kicking game, and it might help him secure a roster spot. Reagor, who had a kickoff return for a touchdown in last year’s regular-season finale against the Bills, gave the Patriots good field position after the Eagles went up 3-0 in the first quarter when he returned a kickoff 32 yards. He also had a 15-yard punt return and made a contested catch on a pass from Brissett. David Wallis also had a 53-yard kickoff return.

— Joey Slye might have a slight leg up over Chad Ryland in the kicking competition. Slye knocked through a 51-yard field goal with plenty of room to spare in the second quarter and also connected on a 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Ryland went 1-for-1 on extra-point attempts.

— Rookie wideouts Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker both had flashes. Polk displayed his shiftiness by juking not one, but two Eagles defenders after catching a quick pass from Maye. Baker was Maye’s favorite target, and even though he dropped a downfield pass that would have been the play of the game, the UCF product had one catch for 12 yards and also drew a defensive pass interference penalty.

— Wide receiver JaQuae Jackson, who caught a touchdown pass from Milton in the preseason opener, was carted off the field early in the fourth quarter with an apparent knee injury.

— While the Eagles didn’t play most of their starters, the Patriots also had a number of notable players sit out the exhibition contest. Hunter Henry, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Shaun Wade, Marte Mapu, Sione Takitaki, Cole Strange, Kendrick Bourne and Christian Barmore, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Davon Godchaux, Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger all didn’t play. It wasn’t a surprise Takitaki, Strange and Bourne weren’t available with all three on the physically unable to perform list.