Patriots vs. Eagles Takeaways: Christian Gonzalez has dominant game in NFL debut
FOXBOROUGH, Mass – While the New England Patriots did not get the end result they were hoping for, it is clear that they have a possible weapon on defense. Christian Gonzalez made his NFL debut on Sunday afternoon and the first-round pick did not disappoint. In the fourth quarter, he recorded an eight-yard sack on Jalen […]
FOXBOROUGH, Mass – While the New England Patriots did not get the end result they were hoping for, it is clear that they have a possible weapon on defense.
Christian Gonzalez made his NFL debut on Sunday afternoon and the first-round pick did not disappoint.
In the fourth quarter, he recorded an eight-yard sack on Jalen Hurts followed by a great defensive read that prevented AJ Brown from getting the first down.
And to top it all off, Gonzalez broke up a pass on the Eagles 4th and 2. He nearly picked it off, but his effort was enough as the Patriots were able to take over on downs with 1:43 remaining.
Gonzalez ended the night with seven total tackles, one sack, and one pass breakup.
FINAL SCORE: Eagles 25, Patriots 20
Star of the game: Eagles kicker Jake Elliott
Notable Plays
First quarter
– The Eagles got on the board first with a 32-yard field goal from Jake Elliott
– The Patriots were cooking early, but Kendrick Bourne tipped a pass from Mac Jones and it fell straight into the hands of Darius Slay who went to the house.
– After this "mishap" as former Patriots RB Kevin Faulk called it, Ezekiel Elliott fumbles on the first play of the next drive and it's recovered by the Eagles' Zach Cunningham on New England's 36-yard line.
Hurts then connects with DeVonta Smith for a 6-yard touchdown pass. However, the Patriots only saving grace was the Jake Elliott missed the extra point, with the Eagles leading by 16 with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Second quarter
– The New England Patriots finally get on the board after some serious offensive struggles. Jones connected with tight end Mike Gesicki for a first down. The quarterback then followed it up with a 15-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster and a 23-yard pass to rookie Demario Douglas before finding Hunter Henry in the end zone.
– Kendrick Bourne got his first touchdown of the season after he caught a 19-yard pass from Jones in the end zone.
Third Quarter
– The Eagles opened the scoring in the second half after Jake Elliott nailed a 56-yard field goal.
Fourth Quarter
– Jake Elliott hits a 48-yard field goal to give the Eagles an eight point lead with 13:21 remaining in the game.
-Hunter Henry had one of the best catches of the game, hauling in a 12-yard completion from Mac Jones. But why was it so memorable?
The first-year captain caught the ball one-handed on a pass from Jones' that was thrown way to high. Oh and this catch came on a crucial play where the Patriots offense opted to go for it on fourth down. However, on the next set of downs, the Patriots stayed on the field for fourth down again, but didn't convert.
-Jalen Hurts hit A.J. Brown for a 48-yard completion with Jonathan Jones in coverage and it was originally ruled as a completed catch. Jones clearly did not think so and Belichick quickly threw the challenge flag. After review it was ruled as an incomplete pass and the ball was moved back to the Eagles 17-yard line.
– Christian Gonzalez with an eight-yard sack on Hurts. This was the first career sack for the rookie cornerback.
– Elliott with another field goal, this time from 51-yard to give the Eagles another three points and increase their lead to two scores.
– The Patriots weren't giving up just yet after Jones connected with Bourne once again for an 11-yard touchdown.
New England then decided to go for the two-point conversion, and despite getting into the end zone, Calvin Anderson was called for holding and they were sent back. Mac Jones was not happy with that call and was overheard on the officials microphone saying, "terrible call."
On their second two-point conversion attempt, the pass intended for Mike Gesicki was incomplete.
– With five minutes remaining on the clock, the Eagles started yet another drive, but the defense had other ideas. Jabrill Peppers executed a massive hit on Jalen Hurts, knocking the ball loose and Marcus Jones recovered.
-However with two prime opportunities to score, the offense couldn't get it going and were unable to get into the end zone.
G Cole Strange
WR DeVante Parker
G Michael Onwenu
OLB Anfernee Jennings
DT Sam Roberts
CB Shaun Wade
Eagles Inactive List
RB Rashaad Penny
CB Mario Goodrich
CB Eli Ricks
G Tyler Steed
DT Ojomo Moro
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Tanner McKee
Observations:
-Patriots defensive starters
- OLB: Matthew Judon
- DT: Davon Godchaux
- DT: Christian Barmore
- DT: Deatrich Wise Jr.
- LB: Ja’Whaun Bentley
- LB: Jahlani Tavai
- CB: Jonathan Jones
- CB: Christian Gonzalez
- CB: Myles Bryant
- S: Kyle Dugger
- S: Jabrill Peppers
– Patriots offensive starters
- LT: Trent Brown
- LG: Atonio Mafi
- C: David Andrews
- RG: Sidy Sow
- RT: Calvin Anderson
- TE: Hunter Henry
- TE: Mike Gesicki
- QB: Mac Jones
- RB: Rhamondre Stevenson
- WR: JuJu Smith-Schuster
- WR: Kendrick Bourne
-Belichick got very heated in the third quarter over a holding penalty calling on Hunter Henry. It was a tough call to make and he let the officials hear it.
Quarterback Stats
Mac Jones
35/54
316 Passing Yards
3 Touchdowns
1 Interception
2 Carries
15 Rushing Yards
Jalen Hurts
22/33
170 Passing Yards
1 Passing Touchdown
9 Carries
37 Rushing Yards
Patriots announce date for Tom Brady’s induction to team’s Hall of Fame
Back where he belongs.
Featured Image via Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
