FOXBORO, Mass. – As Merrill Reese described during the call of the game on Sportsradio 94 WIP, the score at the end of the first quarter of the Eagles' second preseason game is Patriots 14, Cary Williams 7. After Williams' interception return for a touchdown opened the scoring (and ended his night), the rest of the action was all Patriots.
After Williams picked him off, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady led the Patriots down the field for a nine-play, 74-yard drive that was capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kenbrell Thompkins.
After sitting on the sideline for the first 10 minutes of game action, the Eagles' first-team offense finally saw the field … for one play. Nick Foles' first pass of the night was completed to Ifeanyi Momah (starting for the injured and Jeremy Maclin), only for Momah to fumble the ball after he was hit by Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower. The ball was recovered by the Patriots, who then converted the turnover into a touchdown drive led by rookie quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
The Patriots' second scoring drive last four plays and 28 yards and was capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Garoppolo to fullback James Develin.
Defensive coordinator Bill Davis shuffled through most of the first- and second-team defense, with players like Damion Square, Beau Allen, Curtis Marsh, Brandon Graham and Najee Goode al seeing plenty of action with the nominal starters.
The Eagles' second offensive possession, meanwhile, was not much prettier than its first. Foles and the offense completed one first down on another completion to Momah, but a sack three plays later ended the drive on the Eagles' 26-yard-line.
LEADERS
Tom Brady – 8-of-10 for 81 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a 94.2 quarterback rating
Stevan Ridley – Nine carries for 45 yards