FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – We're on to the second game of this preseason as the Eagles take on New England tonight (7 PM, NBC10 Philadelphia, NFL Network) and there remain so many storylines with the cutdown to 53 players less than two weeks away (August 27, 4 PM). Last Friday's win in Baltimore was a good first step; now the Eagles must follow with more positive developments. What to look for? As always, plenty.

Here are some storylines to consider ...

1. The QB play

Jalen Hurts had a sterling joint practice on Tuesday, so we'll wait to see how Head Coach Nick Sirianni divides up the reps in this one. Behind Hurts, of course, are Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee, who are both ingrained in this offense and have played well this summer. New England's strength is its defense and while the packages may be vanilla, both Pickett and McKee will be challenged by a strong front and an aggressive back seven. Both quarterbacks led long touchdown drives in Baltimore and were pretty good throughout. There were some drives stunted by penalty, so the Eagles want to clean that up and have more consistency and production throughout the game. Will Grier did not get the chance to play in the preseason opener, so we'll see if he gets any snaps tonight.

2. How does it look at right guard?

Is Mekhi Becton leading the way in the race for the starting right guard job? Is Tyler Steen pushing? Is anyone else in the mix as the Eagles look to solidify the status at right guard? The Eagles would love to build some continuity up front, so maybe it's obvious with Becton taking the first-team reps in the practice on Tuesday. Becton started last week and played eight snaps. It could be very telling how this situation is shaping up by who plays in the game.

3. Rookies on the rise

The 2024 Eagles Draft Class was excellent in its preseason debut. Quinyon Mitchell was active and around the football. Jalyx Hunt was charged up and on the football. Will Shipley did a lot as a running back and a receiver out of the backfield. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. had a terrific game. Offensive linemen Trevor Keegan and Dylan McMahon got after it in the trenches. Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith moved the chains in the passing game. Now, what can this group do for an encore? It is something to watch, one of the major themes of this game.

4. Who are the backup wide receivers?

Wilson started in the preseason opener and has had plenty of looks with the first-team unit this summer. Britain Covey just goes out there and makes plays from the slot using his quickness and elusiveness. John Ross had a couple of catches last week and wants to build on that. Parris Campbell is back on the field and knows he needs to make an impression. He has the size and speed to help from the slot. There are others, a lot of others, who are going to have some chances. Again, the cutdown date is coming. The Eagles need some clarity here.

5. Veterans to watch in secondary

James Bradberry has done a terrific job transitioning from cornerback to safety. Avonte Maddox looks natural there as well. Tristin McCollum is on the football and plays solid, intelligent football. Who wins the backup safety spots? That's a question to consider as the team reaches 53 players.

At cornerback, it's wide open. Kelee Ringo, Isaiah Rodgers, Eli Ricks, Zech McPhearson, Josh Jobe, Mitchell, and now second-round pick Cooper DeJean, who is back on the practice field in a limited way and who won't play in this game, are contenders. That is a lot of talent for ... how many roster spots?

6. What is Vic Fangio's approach to Game 2?

He blitzed here and there last week and the Eagles had great success. In Tuesday's practice, the defense dominated quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye and the New England offense. The Eagles mixed things up in that practice session and came away very happy with the results. Will they show anything in this game? Will Fangio keep it very, very vanilla? The latter is likely to be the case as the Eagles continue to evaluate their roster. But they made a lot of progress in the joint practice.

7. Which players make their big move in this game?

There isn't an answer to this question because nobody has a crystal ball, but it's "go" time (later than that, really) for those on the roster bubble. Who wins a job either with the Eagles or another team with a big performance in the game? That's kind of the essence of the preseason – to win jobs. Players understand they are playing to put the best version of themselves on tape.

8. OK, another look at kickoffs

It's worth watching and waiting to see how teams play the kickoff. Both teams experimented a bit in the joint practice but in the game situations, they will likely keep things simple to evaluate coverage players, blockers, and returners. In the regular season, trust me, it's going to be wild. In the preseason, a big kickoff return could either win or lose jobs for players, as coaches want to see returns.