Following two physical joint practices in Foxborough, the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots clashed in a preseason game on August 22, 2026. The Patriots erased an early deficit to secure a 24-21 victory at Gillette Stadium behind strong performances from young reserves and a game-winning touchdown drive.
Backups Battle at Gillette Stadium As Starters Sit
Fans filing into Gillette Stadium for the second home preseason contest of the 2026 season did not see the marquee names. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel opted to sit his entire starting offense and defense, reasoning that his top players had absorbed more than enough high-intensity work during Wednesday and Thursday’s joint practices.
With Drake Maye and the Philadelphia starters watching from the sideline, the stage belonged entirely to roster hopefuls and deeper reserves. The resulting contest offered a stark contrast between halves, as Philadelphia’s second-string units dictated the opening tempo before New England’s younger pieces rallied late.
Eagles Establish Early Control Behind Ground Game and Line Depth
Philadelphia made immediate strides compared to a sluggish preseason opener against Baltimore. The Eagles’ second-string offensive line absolutely bullied the Patriots’ backup defensive line early on, opening persistent running lanes for running back Will Shipley.
Shipley finished the night with 11 carries for 56 yards and the score, cementing his grip on the RB3 job over Dameon Pierce.
While Philadelphia’s rushing attack hummed, the visitors struggled through the air when veteran quarterback Andy Dalton took the field. Dalton completed just 3 of 10 passes for 44 yards, failing to find a rhythm for the second week. Reserve quarterback Tanner McKee entered midway through the second quarter and provided a stark contrast, efficiently guiding the offense with a 16-of-22, 173-yard performance that included two touchdowns and a 125.8 passer rating.
Patriots Rookies and Reserves Spark Second-Half Comeback
Trailing early, New England found a spark through a wave of young playmakers.
Just before halftime, DeVito struck deep, connecting with Kyle Williams on a 69-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline that gave the hosts a 10-7 lead. Williams finished with two catches for 74 yards and the score, while Efton Chism III added a 24-yard conversion and an eight-yard reception.
The most unconventional highlight of the evening belonged to rookie seventh-round draft pick Behren Morton. Beyond taking over quarterback duties in the second half—where he completed 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards—Morton served as the team’s punter, booting the ball three times for an average of 44.3 yards.
Morton ultimately sealed the win in the final minute, firing a 37-yard touchdown pass to Nick DeGennaro to put New England ahead 24-21. Rookie edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins closed out the game by stripping Eagles quarterback Cole Payton, securing the come-from-behind victory.
Depth Concerns Mount on the Offensive Line
While New England’s skill-position reserves delivered, the team’s offensive line depth suffered another blow. During the opening series, Marcus Bryant left with an apparent lower-leg injury.
Bryant had been making a run at the swing tackle role for New England. Dametrious Crownover replaced Bryant on the line, underscoring the thin margins facing New England’s trenches ahead of final roster cuts.
Both teams now turn their attention to the final week of the preseason. The Eagles return to practice ahead of their preseason finale on Friday night.
