By DJ Harding
While Tom Brady was honored for his winning ways in New England, the Patriots did the opposite with a 25-20 loss to open up the season.
Mac Jones is now 0-3 in week one games which gives the Patriots a three game week one losing streak and now makes them 10-5 in week one games over the past 15 years.
Their opponent the reigning NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles took over the first quarter. The Eagles opened up the game with a drive that ended in a Jake Elliott 32 yard field goal.
The Patriots first drive also ended in scoring, for the Eagles as Mac Jones threw an interception to Philadelphia cornerback Darius Slay who returned the pick 70 yards to the end zone.
The Eagles now up 10-0 ended up getting another turnover as Ezekiel Elliott fumbled the ball in his Patriots debut.
After the back to back turnovers Jalen Hurts led the Eagles to the end zone with a 5 yard passing touchdown to Devonta Smith. Jake Elliott missed the extra point giving the Eagles a 16-0 lead.
New England responded in the second quarter with two touchdown drives. Both drives ended in passing touchdowns from Mac Jones. The first was a 9 yard pass to Hunter Henry while the other one was a 19 yard pass from Kendrick Bourne.
In the second quarter the Patriots cut the lead from 16 to 2 points going into halftime. The Eagles coming out the half relied on the foot of Jake Elliott as he was there scoring the rest of the game.
From the beginning of the half until five minutes left in the fourth quarter the only scoring between both teams were three field goals from Jake Elliott.
Elliott hit field goals from 56, 48, and 51 yards out in that order. Elliott gave the Eagles a 25-14 lead.
The Patriots responded to the third Elliott field goal with a touchdown drive which was Jones’s third passing touchdown of the day and the second one to Kendrick Bourne. New England failed the two point attempt after the touchdown, cutting the lead to five.
The New England defense then forced a turnover making Jalen Hurts fumble on a scramble. Unfortunately for the Patriots they wouldn’t convert on the turnover and end up losing 25-20.
Mac Jones postgame said “ Definitely felt like we fought hard.”
David Andrews, the Patriots Center said “We’ve got to clean it up.”
New England falls to 0-1 to start the season and will look for their first win next week on Sunday Night Football versus the Miami Dolphins will kickoff scheduled for 8:20.