FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Veteran Jake Elliott kicked four field goals in the rain Sunday to lead the Eagles to a 25-20 triumph over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Elliott kicked two 50-yard field goals for the second time in his career, including a 56-yarder that matches the third-longest of his career.
“Give a lot of credit to Jake Elliott,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said. “I don’t like him kicking, but he stepped up and made big-time plays for us all night.”
In the first quarter, Elliott missed a PAT. He declined to confirm if it was a bad hold until after he watches replays. The smile on Elliott’s face, however, confirmed that it was great to feel needed.
“It’s fun to go out and just earn it,” Elliott said.
• • •
The Tom Brady celebration went off without a hitch at halftime Sunday partly because there was a dearth of Eagles fans at Gillette Stadium.
This was almost as tough as a Red Sox World Series ticket, according to the locals, and that all but shut out the visiting fans.
Truth be told, the stadium was packed, with celebrities like Jon Bon Jovi and Donnie Wahlberg and dozens of former Brady’s teammates, and even some opponents (Nick Foles, however, was nowhere to be seen).
Brady, 46, was in championship talking form to match those six Super Bowl titles he got for the Patriots. He warmed up for his big day by ringing the ceremonial bell before the game and saluting the fans from up high along with his sons.
Clad in a No. 12 jersey at the intermission, he became slightly emotional speaking to fans and several former teammates.
“Thank you,” Brady said. “What a day. You know that runout was a little longer than it used to be. But it’s good to be in this stadium and to have another runout.”
Owner Robert Kraft reveled in the pageantry, explaining that he would waive the four-year wait period and place Brady in the Patriots Hall of Fame next spring. The ceremony will be June 12, 2024.
But it was Brady who got the crowd revved.
“One thing will never change,” said Brady, who finished his career with three seasons and a seventh Super Bowl ring in Tampa Bay, “and that is I am a Patriot for life. Thank you, guys, for another day in this stadium that I’ll never forget.”
That kickstarted chants of “Brady, Brady, Brady,” which obviously would have been a little too much for Eagles fans.
• • •
Veteran Justin Evans got the start at safety ahead of Terrell Edmunds for the Eagles, who have been secretive about that phase of their depth chart.
Zach Cunningham and Nakobe Dean started at linebacker for the Birds. Dean was injured in the fourth quarter and exited in a walking boot.
Jordan Davis started at defensive tackle with Fletcher Cox and forced a first-quarter fumble of Zeke Elliott that the Eagles turned into a TD.
• • •
The Eagles listed running backs Kenneth Gainwell, Rashad Penny, Boston Scott and D’Andre Swift all as first team on the gameday depth chart.
Then they scratched Penny along with rookie quarterback Tanner McKee, cornerbacks Mario Goodrick and Eli Ricks, rookie third-round pick Tyler Steen (OL), rookie seventh-round selection Moro Como (DT) and newly acquired TE Albert Okwuegbunam.
Previously, the Eagles had activated punter/holder Aaryn Siposs and punt returner Britain Covey from the practice squad.
The Patriots’ offensive line is a mess due to injuries. Cole Strange was deactivated, leaving Mac Jones to operate without his usual starting guards.
The Patriots also scratched injured wide receiver DeVante Parker, guard Michael Onwenu, linebacker Anfernee Jennings, defensive tackle Sam Roberts and cornerback Shaun Wade.
• • •
The Eagles are the first NFC team to kick off a season with new offensive and defensive coordinators since the 49ers rolled with Mike Shanahan and Ray Rhodes as their coordinators in 1994, according to ESPN. The Niners beat the San Diego Chargers, 49-26, in Super Bowl XXIX that season.
Shanahan parlayed that into a head coaching job with the Broncos, leading them to a couple of Super Bowl titles. Rhodes became head coach of the Eagles in 1995, winning 10 games and leading the franchise to the playoffs the first two seasons.
Brian Johnson is the new offensive coordinator of the Eagles, Sean Desai the new defensive coordinator.
• • •
The Eagles take on the Vikings Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field.
It will likely be a Vikings offense without center Garrett Bradbury, who injured his back Sunday after sitting out a handful of late season games last year and gutting his way through a playoff loss.
Bradbury exited early against the Buccaneers, a 20-17 Vikings loss.
• • •
NOTES >> Cox said he’s OK after being shaken up in the fourth quarter. Cornerback James Bradberry suffered a nasty cut in his mouth. … Covey’s 25-yard punt return, setting up the 56-yard field goal by Elliott for a 19-14 Eagles lead, was the second-longest of his career. Covey returned a punt 27 yards against the Titans last year. … Referee Shawn Hochuli had his part in a mistake-filled first quarter. At the end of the frame, the striped shirt errantly said, “This is the end of the first half … excuse me, first quarter.” To error is human, eh?
Source: Berkshire mont
Be First to Comment