What to Watch For: New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preseason Week 2

The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles have spent this week exchanging blows on the practice field. Now, it’s time for game action.

Through two joint practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, New England’s starters asserted themselves with efficiency and explosiveness on both sides of the ball — generating chunk gains on offense and aggressively pursuing the ball on defense. When analyzing the performance of each rosters’ depth, however, a much different picture was painted — one that is far more likely to carry over into Saturday night.

Here’s what we’ll be watching for when New England takes on Philadelphia in preseason game number two:

Those heading to Gillette Stadium with hopes of seeing the starters in live action for the first time this season may be disappointed. 

Both the Patriots and Eagles have seen their starters rep through two days of joint practices. The value in those one-on-one, 7-on-7, 11-on-11, full team periods and situational drills is — for many — the opportunity to evaluate talent at the top of the depth chart in a more controlled environment than a live game setting. Players go nearly full-speed, but don’t contact through the ground and quarterbacks are protected.

Last week, the Patriots’ starters experienced highs-and-lows in one joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts and did not see any reps during the preseason opener. While preseason week two may generally represent a point at which the starters could receive more extended run through the first half of a game, the two inter-squad sessions this week will likely change that. 

New England’s starters won decisively on both sides of the ball through each practice session against Philadelphia, with Drake Maye and A.J. Brown leading the charge offensively and a collective “effort and finish” mentality brought to each snap defensively. They’ve shown all they needed to this week, imposing their will in the early-season barometer of championship pedigree. 

Thus, Saturday evening will bring about another extensive evaluation of the Patriots’ middle class — an area on the roster that currently creates more questions than answers. While the starters are set, there are still jobs to be won on the fringes. Contributions from those players are oftentimes what sets great teams apart from good ones, and where New England faced more challenges against the Eagles.

Fresh off a tie to open the preseason against Indianapolis, those players hunting for a roster spot will have more to prove this weekend when they line up across from Philadelphia. It’ll be their show.

The battle for the third running back role in Foxboro has had many ebbs and flows. 

Last week, both Myles Montgomery and Terrell Jennings were waived with injury settlements, opening the door for the arrivals of Hasaan Haskins and JaMycal Hasty. In town for less than 48 hours before kick-off against the Colts, the Patriots leaned heavily on rookie seventh-round pick Jam Miller and second-year running back Lan Larison to shoulder the load of the ground game’s production.

Miller made a case for consideration on the 53-man roster after accruing team-highs in carries (14) and rushing yards (55), navigating as an effective between-the-tackles runner behind New England’s backup offensive line in the first half. Larison had much less success as a runner (seven carries, one yard), but excelled as a receiver with a team-high six receptions and 38 receiving yards.

Each will be looking to cement themselves as the leader for the job against Philadelphia, but they won’t be the only rushers out to earn a roster spot. Haskins, in particular, has begun gaining ground in the competition for backfield reps. A former fourth-round selection by head coach Mike Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans (drafted No. 131 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft), Haskins has seen an increased snap share with the second-team offense over the course of the past week, and scored a touchdown during Thursday's joint practice.

An impactful showing from Hasty could also leave a lasting impression, as he most recently spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons in Foxboro before releasing him on August 26, 2025. He spent the 2025 regular season with the Miami Dolphins practice squad, but did not see playing time. 

The race for the third running back spot still hangs in the balance. Still anyone’s to win (or lose), Saturday night could go a long way in determining who ends up on the 53-man roster at the month’s end.

In their first full-contact periods of the 2026 season last week, the Patriots’ reserves along the offensive line left more to be desired.

First-round pick Caleb Lomu’s inconsistency at right tackle drew the ire of many, with some clear victories and an even number of blunders. His up-and-down performance led to a split snap share with Marcus Bryant through joint practices with the Eagles, even reverting back to his collegiate position of left tackle for a more extensive period than typical. Lomu’s usage during the second preseason contest will be worth monitoring, as well as how he’s able to bounce back from some of the mishaps of his first professional snaps.

The interior of New England’s offensive line experienced a new evolution this week with the addition of veteran guard Greg Van Roten. His signing came on the heels of great losses at the center and guard positions in the first week of preseason games, as Caeden Wallace was traded to Miami and both Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich suffered significant injuries against Indianapolis. 

A full-time starter for the last three seasons, Van Roten brings a sense of reliability to the interior’s depth that didn’t previously exist, and will be a valuable asset during the long-haul of the regular season. He’ll also help boost a running game that failed to find consistency against the Colts, adding a sturdy presence to a group that features several undrafted free agents and converted tackles. 

The Patriots’ developmental prospects across the offensive front line will be tested early and often by an extraordinarily deep group of Philadelphia rushers. We’ll see how they’re able to withstand the pressure.

While New England’s offensive line may be trying to prevent pressure, rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas and the Patriots’ defensive front-seven will be looking to apply it. And that’s something that Jacas & Co. are beginning to do with more regularity.

On day one of joint practices with the Eagles, Jacas was a standout with a bull rush victory over offensive tackle Myles Hinton in one-on-ones and multiple pressures in full team drills. He's has started to earn more volume with the first-team defense through the latter stages of training camp, and has responded well to the challenges posed to him by Vrabel during the preseason. He’ll be one player to keep an eye on whenever he’s on the field on Saturday.

Elsewhere on the edge, second-year rushers Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson have each shown promise through the summer and into the preseason. Ponder rebounded against Philadelphia as a consistent presence in the backfield during joint practices after quieting down through the last week of camp. Swinson has seen his role grow after an outstanding outing against the Colts last Thursday, which included a pass deflection on a fourth-down conversion attempt at the New England six-yard line and a quarterback hit that led to an interception at the beginning of the third quarter.

The Patriots’ coaching staff has maintained confidence that the maneuvering they did along the edges of the defense will mark a noticeable improvement in 2026. That may be taking shape now, but Saturday night will be our best indication of that yet.

Several players on the roster bubble will be aiming to leave their mark on Saturday night’s contest in an attempt to gain favor when cutdown day arrives. New England’s first preseason bout was ripe with valuable contributions from those players, especially on the defensive side of the ball. 

Against Indianapolis, the Patriots’ defense turned ball disruption into takeaway generation, racking up two fumble recoveries and two interceptions by roster hopefuls.

Kindle Vildor grabbed the first interception of the game on New England’s first defensive possession, and followed that up with another pick during day one of joint practices with the Eagles this week. He’s trying to supplant Charles Woods, Karon Prunty, and a host of others in the corner room for a depth role.

One of those “others” is undrafted free agent Channing Canada, who is one of the few Patriots’ corners who may spell Marcus Jones as a nickel/slot defender. He also received snaps on special teams as a kick returner and led all New England defenders with seven tackles in the preseason opener.

K.J. Britt also flashed with a forced fumble on quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. scramble in the first half on Thursday. He and rookies undrafted free agent Khalil Jacobs and sixth-round pick Namdi Obiazor, who tied for second on the team with six tackles against the Colts, are in a heated contest for one-or-two of the final off-ball linebacker spots.

Deeper in the secondary, safeties Dell Pettus and John Saunders Jr. continue to jockey for position behind Kevin Byard III and Craig Woodson, with free agent addition Mike Brown looking to re-claim the edge he appeared to have in the spring. Pettus recovered a fumble forced by Jeremiah Pharms Jr. at the goal line in the first half of the preseason opener, while Saunders has been a turnover-generating machine. He leads all Patriots’ defenders with five interceptions this summer, including two last week on Riley Leonard (one in joint practice, the other in the game) and another on Cole Payton in joint practice this week. 

Whether it be insurance for injury on defense or special teams contributions, those young players will use the most of their opportunities now to earn an extended look on the roster later. They’ll be put to the test again when they take on Philadelphia.

In what was dubbed a “measuring stick” week of top-tier competition, New England’s starters met the challenge with aggressiveness and poise. When the two teams meet again, each roster’s reserves and hopefuls will be looking to match that level of ferocity between the white lines. We’re set for another litmus test on Saturday night — this time focused solely on depth as cutdown day draws near.

What will you be watching for when the Patriots take on the Eagles on Saturday night? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.

–

Follow Eddie on Patriots Roundtable

Recent Articles:

- 5 Key Takeaways From New England Patriots-Philadelphia Eagles Joint Practices: Day 2

- 5 Key Takeaways From New England Patriots-Philadelphia Eagles Joint Practices: Day 1

- New England Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection: 2026 Preseason

- New England Patriots Sign Veteran Free Agent to Bolster Offensive Line Depth

- 10 Key Takeaways from the New England Patriots Tie Against the Indianapolis Colts

Check out the Patriots Roundtable Podcast!

YouTube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts