The running back and check down king Cam Newton would lead the New England Patriots against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philly. After the meh performance from week one's victory, how would the Patriots look in their second preseason game and would those nicknames come back to bite the Eagles?
Keep in mind about this performance is the Eagles played mostly number twos against Cam Newton. He played against the guys Mac Jones should've been playing against. Cam went 8 of 9. Newton moved around and reportedly showed good overall command. He had a good pass to Jakobi Meyers for 28 touchdown but he also had a pass thrown high that was saved by James White. He had good pocket presence and stayed in the pocket today. It's probably gotten in Newton's ear that he needs to improve as a pocket passer if he wants to fend off the rookie this season. Consistency from Newton is needed, as a few reporters stated that Newton bounces in camp back and forth between the guy we saw tonight and 2020 Cam Newton.
Mac Jones also looked good and continues to show poise. He had options when he dropped back to pass and there was at least one play where he could've gone to the outside guy but chose a higher percentage throw over the middle. Jones's best throw was a deep ball to Harry that landed incomplete. Asiasi also dropped a would be touchdown pass. Jones finished 13 of 19 (3 drops, 1 spike) but should've finished 16 of 19 with 2 touchdowns and a spike. After two games, Jones has showed he has almost mastered the Patriots two minute offense and can lead them down field if need be. Jones threw with velocity which is good because some have said his fast ball is too slow for the NFL. And as for those who are saying Jones's foot speed is "too slow for the nfl," stop hating! The two big questions are, what's up with the brace. His slide was awkward and some said he got up favoring that leg. And did he play well enough against what he was going against with the talent he had to work with? It's the same question one has to ask about Cam.
J.J. Taylor had a good night, just under 100 yards on the ground and another 18 via the air, catching all 3 targets. It may be a bit lofty but Taylor reminded me of a second rate Barry Sanders tonight. Taylor also averaged 11.3 yards on punt returns. I'll say it again, Taylor may push White off the roster and is his play enough to help push Bolden off as well?
Sony Michel while it wasn't the greatest night statistically, he showed he was an all around back finally. Catching all 4 targets. Michel's performance adds to what I said about Taylor, and the two of them are going to leave Belichick with a hard decision.
Jakobi Meyers went 3 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. Meyers was targeted 3 times. Whether or not he's the number one, he's definitely not lower than the number two on the depth chart.
Gunner Olszewski was targeted 4 times catching all 4 for 57 yards but he averaged a measly 7 yards on two punt returns. After watching the past two games, Gunner should have the number four depth chart spot locked up.
Kendrick Wilkerson caught all 3 targets for 36 yards. Wilkerson is looking like one of the quarterbacks favorites and should he a lock for the Patriots fifth spot if they keep five guys, especially with the Harry injury.,
Harvey Langi had a good night with an interception and sack. He almost had a second interception as well.
Matthew Judon continues to be the defensive star for the Patriots. And appears to be the best signing at the moment for the Patriots this offseason.
Chase Winovich finished with a solid night that included two sacks and a forced fumble.
Jawhaun Bentley had a good night recording 6 tackles on the day. Bentley has been forgot about this offseason which could allow for him to have a good season.
Cassh Maluia had for tackles and a sack.
JoeJaun Williams had the daunting task of covering Devonta Smith and should of been out matched but he did a good job of holding his own against the Eaglea receiver. With Mills struggling last week, this was a much needed showing from Williams. This was a huge game for the former second round pick.
Rookie running back Stevenson may have had two touchdowns on 1 yard runs but for Belichick, ball security is everything and negates the two scores, I can almost guarantee it.
Damien Harris ran it 6 times for 14 yards and a touchdown. Harris was nothing special. His long run was a 5 yarder. He averaged 2.3 yards per carry and looked like the number four back behind former first rounder Sony Michel, J.J. Taylor,.and Stevenson. It's a good thing the Patriots run by committee.
Quinn Nordin had a rough night. He went 1 for 2 on field goals and 2 for 4 on extra points. The best thing that can happen for the rookie kicker is for Folk to miss the final preseason game. Not yet personally worried about Nordin yet.
Conversions: The Patriots went 5 of 9 on third down. It's decent, not great but still an improvement. That's something good to see them over 50%.
Penalties: The Patriots had 9 penalties last week, another 8 this week for 74 yards. 3 were for first downs. Even if it's backups, it's unacceptable.
The Eagles struggled to move the ball through the air against the Patriots. I would say the Patriots defense had a good night but we know there's concern in the depth area for the Patriots on defense, so instead I ask is the Eagles passing game really that bad? Jalen Hurts didn't play, so even though the depth played good only allowing 2.6 yards per pass, They weren't playing the Eagles starter. Joe Flacco is the MVP he once was and he is the perfect example as to why Newton fans should no longer use the MVP as a defense.
Targets People are making a big deal out of pass catchers not getting targets but there were several plays where the quarterbacks had their choice of targets and only had one ball to go around. Don't make too big deal out of this, even if Agholor is making more than Wilkerson, Meyers, and Olszewski.
N'keal Harry got hurt on the deep ball at the end of the first half. People were blaming Harry for not protecting himself as he was landing. Ryan Spagnoli tweeted the play at 902pm, give it a second watch. After watching the play a second and third time, Harry didn't brace for the fall because he was still trying to make the catch at the point he hit the ground. If Harry had caught the ball he'd be met with sympathy instead of frustration over his injury. Harry felt he needed to dive to make the catch, did he or does he not trust his wing span to reach out and make the catch? Harry left Philadelphia with his arm in a sling with speculation of a possible separated shoulder.
Josh Uche was also injured during the game, no word on the seriousness of his injury at the time of writing this article.
The Patriots will take the weekend off. They have to cut five players on the 24th and Then play the Giants on the 29th before cutting down to 53 on the 31st. Place your best now on who's getting cut on Tuesday.
Who's ready for the season to begin? The NFL should really just convert the preseason to the regular season with an initial 90 man roster and rules on how long starters can play the first month of games before having a cut down. Imagining how much more exciting the games would be if preseason stats and backups actually mattered.
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