Patriots vs. Eagles LIVE Thread | Week 11
It’s time for a rematch. This afternoon, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia will play host to the New England Patriots (8-1) and the Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) in a Super Bowl LII rematch. The Week 11 match up is one to watch. The Patriots are coming off a much needed bye week following their first season loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Eagles are also fresh off of their bye week, giving two teams extra time to prepare for each other, in what could shape up to be an intense grudge match.
Quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots offense really need to be on top of their game if they intend to bring home a win. This season hasn’t been the best display of the usual New England powerhouse. In the past, Brady and his offense haven’t had a hard time creating synchronicity on the field, but this season has seen an uneven performance across the boards. In fact, the defense has picked up the slack and brought the ball into the end zone more than one would expect.
Speaking of the defense, the line also really needs to get in gear. The Ravens ran right over them and the “boogeymen” weren’t so scary anymore. The power is there, the drive is there, it’s just the inability to bring the immense talent of the team and pull it all together in one cohesive performance. Let’s hope today is the day that happens.
A key to keeping quarterback Carson Wentz and Philadelphia’s offense at bay is to put pressure on immediately and keep it there. Wentz is a solid, dynamic quarterback, but with the news of wide receiver DeSean Jackson being put on IR and Alshon Jeffery inactive for the Week 11 bout, Wentz options in the passing game will be scarce against New England. The Patriots need keep the Eagles running game tamped down, and be prepared to pick when Wentz looks for a new go-to receiver.
Speaking of receivers, WR Mohamed Sanu has made a great addition to the Patriots offense, and should be key target for Brady to seek throughout the course of the game. The on-field relationship Brady and Sanu look to be building is impressive, tight, and gives fans some hope for consistency.
Brady’s go-to WR Julian Edelman will be on the field today too, giving Brady another chance to find quick rhythm. Expected to make his debut with the Patriots today is WR N’Keal Harry, and with his height close to retired fan favorite and consistent field presence Rob Gronkowski, he could be a real game changer. Running back Sony Michel’s machine-like ability to put on a steamroller performance will also be a huge asset today.
Today, the Patriots defense needs to strike early and often, while the Eagles have to find opportunities to break through the line and try to break up Brady and his newly found (and hopefully sustainable) relationship with his receivers. Kickoff is at 4:25 EST, and what a game it will be.
Here are the Patriots' inactives for the game:
1st QUARTER
15:00 The Patriots defer and kickoff to start the game.
13:42 Elliot for PHI field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL IS GOOD NE 0 - PHI 3
13:32 Brady finds Michel for a short pass for a gain of 12 yards. Great opening play and hopefully the kind of chemistry we'll see all game.
12:15 Bailey in to punt into the wind; ball flies pretty straight for the wind we've seen displayed by the flags.
10:27 After a flag on the Eagles, Wentz airs the ball out and it's time for a punt.
9:38 Brady looks comfortable in the pocket with plenty of time to put the ball in Edelman's hands for a new set of downs.
7:46 White picks up 5 yards on a low shuffle pass, but not enough for a 3rd down conversion, which is usually where they shine.
5:34 Sanders picks up a new set of downs; Patriots defense isn't joking around today, that was a hard hit.
3:04 Wentz and Goedert find each other for a gain of 21 yards.
2nd QUARTER
14:10 Sanders sets up a first and goal with another run. Where are the boogeymen?
12:41 Wentz had a ton of time in the pocket... why??
12:32 Jones gets in between the ball and Goedert, taking it right out of his hands, waiting to see what the ruling. Incredible moves by Jones regardless.
PAT IS GOOD NE 0 - PHI 10
12:28 That was incredibly close to an interception. Way too close.
11:50 Impressive work between Brady and Burkhead in the pocket; entirely too close on another almost interception.
10:40 Brady had a ton of time in the pocket, good on the defense there, Mills came way too close to pulling the ball out of the air in front of Edelman.
10:10 Watson with a huge reception and moves the chains for a new set of downs.
8:40 Brady was forced to throw the ball away after a long time in the backfield. The Eagles are playing incredible coverage.
8:37 Folk for a 35 yard field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL IS GOOD NE 3 - PHI 10.
8:30 A series of fumbles almost gave the ball back to the Patriots, and a collective gasp came from fans everywhere.
6:42 Sanu grabs a 40 yard punt out of the air and stays upright to run the ball 14 yards to the Eagles side of the 50.
5:56 Bullet pass from Brady to Edelman for a new set of downs.
5:09 Burkhead moves the chains for a short rushing gain and a first down. Gerry is down on the field holding his back.
3:41 19 yard pick up by Watson for a huge gain to bring the Patriots into scoring distance.
3:27 Second touchdown pass that's been broken up by Maddox.
3:24 Folk for a 22 yard field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL IS GOOD NE 6 - PHI 10
2:26 Wentz sacked for a loss and a fumble; intercepted by Guy.
1:47 Folk 39 yard field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL IS GOOD NE 9 - PHI 10
:23 Butler sacks Wentz, pushing the Eagles to 3rd and 5.
:16 Wentz fumbles the snap and is sacked again. Good job, boogeymen.
HALFTIME: NE 9 - PHI 10
3rd QUARTER
14:42 Sanu moves the ball well for someone with what's been described as a "tender ankle" as the Patriots start the second half.
13:20 Shuffle pass to Burkhead for a sizable gain; 30 yard pickup.
11:24 White is brought down hard in goal scoring range.
10:50 Brady pitches to Edelman, who airs the ball out to and Dorsett goes up for a huge reception and touchdown.
2 PT CONVERSION IS GOOD NE 17 - PHI 10
7:25 Scott found a huge gap in the defense and moves the chains for a new set of downs.
5:40 A Hightower and Van Noy sandwich brought down Wentz in a huge sack.
3:07 The way the defense is playing now, these are the boogeymen we've been waiting for.
1:27 Brady finds White for a new set of downs with an 11 yard reception.
1:02 Brady is sacked by Gerry for Philadelphia's first sack of the game.
4th QUARTER
14:15 Van Noy is playing wicked hard now; what a hit.
12:33 Brady is throwing really short screen and shuffle passes tonight, and even though this one to Watson picked up a first down, it's still interesting to see.
10:37 White scoots right past the Eagles defense; they're starting to look tired.
9:55 Wentz and Ertz find each other for a solid gain with a precision pass.
7:43 Michel comes in like a machine; moves the chains for a new set of downs.
5:38 Brady broke a huge tackle. That was impressive, there was a ton of attention on him; talk about grace under pressure.
3:58 Wentz somehow manages to air the ball out to the 35 from the end zone for a complete pass to Whiteside.
1:52 Wentz has another pass broken up.
1:30 Agholor makes a huge catch to bring the Eagles within more reachable scoring distance.
1:00 Agholor is in the end zone for what would have been a huge touchdown on an incredible throw but it bounces off his fingertips on a failed 4th down conversion.
:02 Eagles spike the ball to buy what little time they have.
:01 Incomplete pass.
END OF GAME NE 17 - PHI 10
