Eagles vs. Patriots Live Updates, Highlights: Jalen Carter Sack Helps Philadelphia Cement Win
It's a new NFL season, and there will be plenty of new in a Week 1 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Nick Sirianni is back for his third season as coach of the Eagles, but after a Super Bowl appearance a season ago, he will be breaking in two new coordinators. Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen departed to become the coach of the Indianapolis Colts, with former quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson elevated to offensive coordinator. Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon was tabbed to be the next coach of the Arizona Cardinals, and former Seattle Seahawks associate coach Sean Desai is taking over for his polarizing predecessor.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are locked in a battle with the Patriots. (USA Today)
Bill Belichick is set to begin his 24th season with the Patriots, making him by far the longest-tenured coach in the NFL. But after a disastrous season with Matt Patricia -- now on the Eagles staff -- and Joe Judge leading the offense, Bill O'Brien has returned to be the offensive coordinator. Before leaving to become the coach at Penn State, O'Brien previously spent five years on Belichick's staff from 2007-2011, including serving as the offensive coordinator in the final of those seasons. He'll look to get quarterback Mac Jones back on track in his third season.
While it would have once been unthinkable for Belichick and the Patriots to be underdogs at home in Week 1, the Eagles are 3.5 point favorites on the road in this afternoon's tilt.
Follow along for live updates during one of the most intriguing tilts on the Week 1 slate.
First Quarter
Offensive Drive 1: Kenneth Gainwell started at running back for the Eagles, and made an immediate impact. The third-year running back carried the ball six times for 29 yards, while also hauling in two passes.
But despite the impact of Gainwell and a successful 14-yard run by Hurts on a third-and-11, the Eagles had to settle for a Jake Elliott 32-yard field goal. This came after Matthew Judon sacked Hurts on third-and-goal from the New England six-yard line.
Defensive Drive 1: New England quarterback Mac Jones made an errant throw that popped up off the hands of receiver Kendrick Bourne, which Darius Slay intercepted and returned for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive Drive 2: The Eagles forced a second consecutive turnover defensively, with defensive tackle Jordan Davis knocking the ball out of Ezekiel Elliott's hands after a short reception. Linebacker Zach Cunningham recovered the ball on New England's 26-yard line.
Offensive Drive 2: Following the fumble recovery, Hurts connected with fellow captain DeVonta Smith for a five-yard touchdown. However, Jake Elliott missed the extra-point attempt.
Offensive Drive 3: The Eagles followed up a Patriots three-and-out with one of their own. A.J. Brown caught a two-yard pass from Hurts on third-and-10, but that was well short of a first down. It also was the final play of an otherwise extremely successful first quarter for the Eagles.
Second Quarter
Offensive Drive 4: Once again, the Eagles went three-and-out on their fourth drive of the game. Hurts connected with Smith on third-and-nine on their own nine, but the screen pass was well defended by the Patriots. Smith advanced the ball just two yards, leading to a 45-yard punt from Aaron Siposs on fourth down.
Offensive Drive 5: The Eagles went three-and-out for the third drive in a row, with a Boston Scott three-yard run the only positive yardage gained.
Defensive Drive 6: New England got on the board when Jones capped off a 10-play, 71-yard drive by connecting with tight end Hunter Henry for a nine-yard touchdown.
Offensive Drive 6: Stop us if you've heard this before: the Eagles went three-and-out on their sixth drive of the game. They managed to lose nine yards on a brutal drive.
Defensive Drive 7: The connection of Jones and Bourne redeemed themselves, combining for a 19-yard touchdown strike that capped off an impressive six-play drive for the Patriots. All of a sudden, this game has gotten tight.
Third Quarter
Offensive Drive 8: The Eagles initially rebounded nicely out of the halftime break. After forcing a punt from the Patriots, Hurts marched the Eagles from their own 29-yard line into New England territory. But the drive sputtered out just over midfield, with a holding penalty on left tackle Jordan Mailata forcing the Eagles to settle for a field goal. Thankfully for the Eagles, Jake Elliott drilled a 56-yard field goal.
Fourth Quarter
Offensive Drive 9: This drive -- which began in the late stages of the third quarter -- was very much a mixed bag. Hurts made an incredible scramble, which you can see below, on third-and-three early in the drive. Hurts also connected with Smith four times. However, the fourth-year quarterback did miss tight end Dallas Goedert running wide open on two occasions, leaving the Eagles to settle for a 48-yard field goal from Elliott that clanked in off the right upright.
Defensive Drive 10: While the Patriots successfully converted one fourth-down attempt thanks to a tremendous catch by Henry, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox made consecutive impact plays to force Jones and the Patriots to turn the ball over on downs on the Eagles' 17-yard line.
Offensive Drive 10: A seven-play, 50-yard drive culminated in Elliott hitting his fourth field goal of the game, this one a 51-yard kick that made it a two-possession game.
Defensive Drive 11: To their credit, the Patriots quickly responded with a six-play, 75-yard drive that featured running back Rhamondre Stevenson making an impact as a receiver, before Bourne ultimately hauled in his second touchdown reception of the game. The Patriots weren't able to convert a two-point conversion attempt that would have put them within a field goal.
Offensive Drive 11: Marcus Jones forced a fumble by Hurts, which was recovered by New England's Jabril Peppers, giving the Patriots a chance to take a late-game lead.
Defensive Drive 12: A sack split by defensive tackle Jordan Davis and pass rusher Josh Sweat on second-and-five cost New England five yards. The Patriots were eventually unsuccessful on fourth-and-17, turning the ball over on downs.
Offensive Drive 12: Rather than punting, Sirianni elected to have the Eagles go for it on fourth-and-two at the New England 44. A pass intended for Smith wasn't completed, giving the ball back to the Patriots.
Defensive Drive 13: On second-and-10 at the Eagles 19, Carter recorded the first sack of his career, helping to cement an Eagles victory. While Jones would connect with receiver Kayshon Boutte on fourth-and-11, the rookie wasn't able to get his second foot down, handing the Eagles a win.
