Dec 23, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Trent Cole (58) runs onto the field during pre game introductions against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots have been practicing together, but things get serious on Friday when the two kick off Week 1 of the NFL preseason for both teams.
New England is continuing the pursuit of perfection on the road to a championship while the Eagles are simply trying to usher in a new era under coach Chip Kelly while remaining competitive.
Let’s take a look at the matchup.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
When: August 9, 2013, 7:30 PM ET
Watch: WBZ 4 (CBS – Boston), WPVI 6 (ABC – Philadelphia)
Live Stream: NFL Game Rewind
Patriots Player to Watch: Danny Amendola
May 21, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola on the practice field during organized team activities at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
New England may have lost Wes Welker, but it went out and found the perfect replacement this offseason in former St. Louis Rams receiver Danny Amendola.
Amendola will not see the field for long, but how the connection between he and quarterback Tom Brady will be interesting to see. He has had his injury issues in the past, so pay attention to Amendola for the short amount of time he is on the field.
Eagles Player to Watch: Trent Cole
Jul 26, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Trent Cole (58) after practice during training camp at the Eagles NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The offense is not he only major thing getting revamped in Philadelphia this preseason. Kelly has implemented a new 3-4 scheme, and some of the left over 4-3 pieces like Trent Cole are stuck with learning new positions.
Cole has spent his career at the defensive end position but will now be tasked with make the switch to outside linebacker. Keep an eye on this early look at how he is making the change.
Matchup to Watch: Eagles Receivers vs. Patriots Secondary
Aug 6, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper (14) during NFL training camp at the NovaCare complex. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Riley Cooper still has a job despite some insensitive comments in large part because Jeremy Maclin went down for the year with a torn ACL.
The new look receiving corps is going to have its depth seriously tested in this first matchup of the preseason. Just how deep the position turns out to be will decide whether or not the Eagles get serious about bringing on a veteran here in the coming weeks.
Prediction
Aug 6, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) greets Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper (14) during NFL training camp at the NovaCare complex. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
This is a hard one to pick because while the Patriots are a pretty deep team, there is a lot of unknowns on a wildly different looking Eagles squad.
The only major separation here is the depth the Eagles have at quarterback with Michael Vick and Nick Foles. That should be enough to put the Eagles up early.
Patriots 17, Eagles 31
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