10 Takeaways From Patriots' Thrilling 24-21 Preseason Win Over Eagles

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10 Takeaways From Patriots' Thrilling 24-21 Preseason Win Over Eagles

Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) catches a pass against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ambry Thomas (38) and runs for a touchdown during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ethan Hurwitz · New England Patriots On SI

Sun, Aug 23, 2026 ·

9 min read

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FOXBORO --- After a tie last week, where color commentator Scott Zolak compared it to kissing your sister on the broadcast, the New England Patriots were able to get in the win column for the first time this summer.

It took a little bit of time to settle in, but the Patriots eventually used two touchdown drives to ride grab a 17-14 lead over the Philadelphia Eagles . A late mistake in the fourth quarter paved the way for the Eagles to walk out of Gillette Stadium with the 21-17 victory, but a Behren Morton to Nick DeGennaro dime in the final minute sent the Patriots fans home happy.

The Patriots had several names not in pads for pre-game warmings, including several bigger names that came as a surprise. Running back TreVeyon Henderson , tight end Eli Raridon, and safety Kevin Byard all didn't suit up.

They were joined by fullback Reggie Gilliam , center Ben Brown , edge rushers Xavier Holmes and Harold Landry (PUP), cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Channing Canada and safeties Craig Woodson and Brenden Schooler (NFI).

But for the players who did suit up, most of them backups and/or sitting on the roster bubble, it was a productive conclusion to a week that also included a pair of joint practices .

Here's how it happened, and what it means moving forward:

1. Injuries Tell The Story Early On

It was a scary start to the game for both sides. On the opening kickoff, Eagles running back Ja'Quinden Jackson was down and laid motionless on the field for several minutes. As both sides retreated to their sidelines and went down to a knee, the ambulance came out to take Jackson off the field.

The Eagles would later announce that Jackson "has strength and movement in all extremities" and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Brandon George (45) is tended to after being injured on the opening play against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Later on that Patriots drive, starting right tackle Marcus Bryant went down with an ankle injury . Mike Vrabel came out to look at him, and he was gingerly helped off the field. Rookie Dametrious Crownover came in to replace Bryant, who was quickly ruled out shortly after.

Patriots undrafted rookie linebacker Khalil Jacobs spent a short time in the blue medical tent in the second quarter, but would return to the game. He was slow to get up after a kick return.

2. Patriots Defense Buckles, Allows Short TD

In the closing drive of the first quarter and the opening drive of the second, the Eagles were able to punch home the game's first points. On the 13th play of the drive that also included three completions from Eagles quarterback Any Dalton to wide receiver Darius Cooper , it was Will Shipley that found the end zone.

The running back ran off the left guard for a five-yard scamper -- his ninth carry of the drive to that point -- for six. It was a methodical drive by Philadelphia, who converted on a short fourth down and would later force the Patriots to use their first timeout of the half once they got inside the 20.

It was also a choppy drive for Patriots linebacker Chad Muma . He missed a pair of tackles and was beat on a quarterback bootleg. It was a solid start for a physically dominant Eagles offensive line. He would get injured late in the fourth, but would walk off the field with no assistance.

3. Kicking Game Bounces Back

Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots kicker Andy Borregales (36) kicks a field goal in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After missing a trio of field goals last week , kicker Andy Borregales was able to start this week's game on the right foot. The Patriots drove down the field, thanks in part to a sweet, 36-yard scramble from quarterback Tommy DeVito , but weren't able to convert in Eagles territory.

With regular long snapper Julian Ashby back in the fold after missing last week, the field goal operation was clean and Borregales nailed his first attempt from 41 yards out. He was also 3-for-3 on extra points.

4. Behren Morton, The Punter?!

In the second quarter, a sack on DeVito led to the Patriots trotting out their typical punting unit. Or so we thought.

Instead of punter Bryce Baringer punting the ball, it was third-string quarterback Behren Morton taking the snap. Huh?

It didn't appear to look like it was because of an injury, as Baringer was on the sideline with his helmet off. The rookie, who kicked and punted in high school, ended up getting a good boot off. Morton punted it 48 yards into the end zone for a touchback.

He would end the day punting the ball two more times for a total of 85 more yards.

5. Kyle Williams Has The Need For Speed

The Patriots were looking for a spark. Three plays into their fifth drive, they got it. Looking deep and to his right, DeVito launched a throw to Kyle Williams, who had gotten a step on Eagles cornerback Ambry Thomas .

That was it, as Williams sprinted 69 yards for the touchdown, his second in as many preseason games.

It was a nice showing for Williams tonight, who ended the day with two catches for 74 yards and the touchdown. After chatter during training camp on whether or not the second-year wideout could make the team, Williams has stacked preseason performances and has shown off the speed that makes him such a dynamic threat in this passing attack.

6. Eagles End First Half Happy

Immediately after the Williams score, the Eagles and backup quarterback Tanner McKee score a touchdown of their own. Aided by a costly unnecessary roughness penalty on Patriots safety Mike Brown, the Eagles used the quick game with Carson Steele and Britain Covey to their advantage.

McKee hit Covey on a short pass that the receiver took 14 yards untouched for the score to reclaim a 14-10 lead. They'd also get a sack from Ty Robinson to force the Patriots to punt it away.

7. Behren Morton, The Quarterback?!

As halftime came to a close, the Patriots made a quarterback swap. They replaced DeVito with Morton, who came in under the same situation last week . Morton was efficient under center, going 13-for-17 for 129 yards and one touchdown.

He connected with a lot of the reserve weapons ( Kobe Prentice , JaMycal Hasty , Jack Westover , Lan Larison , Tejhaun Palmer , Nick DeGennaro, Kyle Dixon, Cameron Dorner) on completions, and was able to move the ball well under pressure. He did, however, remain in the game at punter, even booting one away after taking a seven-yard sack in the third quarter.

8. Patriots Reclaim Lead

Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Peter Manuma (34) runs back a kick off against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Just under 90 seconds into the final frame, the Patriots were able to jump in front once again.

Larison's hard running allowed him to pick up extra yards inside the Eagles' red zone. After he powered his way to 10 yards for his third carry of the drive, he was given another handoff at the two-yard line. A combo block from left guard Mehki Butler and center Joe Michalski helped pave the way, and Larison punched it in for his second-career preseason score and the 17-14 lead.

9. Costly Error Keeps Eagles Alive

With the Patriots driving and a chance to potentially go up by two scores, Hasty had the ball knocked out of his hands and onto the turf. Former Patriots cornerback Shaun Wade was credited with the forced fumble, and linebacker Brandon George recovered the ball near the Patriots' sideline.

On the ensuing offensive drive, the Eagles converted a third-and-five after a nice diving grab by tight end Stone Smartt . It would end with the Eagles' third touchdown of the night, as McKee finds Steele in the flat. He took it 20 yards (and hurdled over safety Eric Butler) for the score and the 21-17 lead.

10. A Game-Winner For The Rookies

In a similar situation to the tie against the Colts , Morton and the Patriots had the ball with a chance to win the game. This time, they were able to get the job done.

Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Nick DeGennaro (23) in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After Morton hit Dorner on a nine-yard slant to make it a fourth-and-one, he connected with Dixon on a speed out to convert the first down. Two plays later, he found a wide open DeGennaro down the right sideline for a 37-yard touchdown.

The crowd erupted as the undrafted rookie fell to his knees.

The Eagles weren't able to tie the game in the final seconds, as fourth-string quarterback Cole Payton was strip-sacked by Quintayvious Hutchins to ice the game.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/patriots/onsi as 10 Takeaways From Patriots' Thrilling 24-21 Preseason Win Over Eagles .

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