The New England Patriots are set to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a preseason matchup on Thursday night. With the 2021 NFL regular season right around the corner, the Patriots hope to gain more clarity about their final roster. This second preseason game will help Bill Belichick and the coaching staff narrow down the best possible lineup moving forward.
New England has plenty to pay attention to on Thursday night. We should be seeing more of the starting lineup receive some action. Even so, there is one player on the defense that could prove himself against the Eagles. Additionally, the Patriots run game should be on full display again, as the coaching staff searches for the best backups possible.
The passing game should open up with the run game operating smoothly. This is a great opportunity for one wide receiver to separate himself from the rest of the group. Meanwhile, Belichick has essentially named Can Newton the starting quarterback, but Mac Jones might have different plans. With that said, here are four bold predictions for the Patriots' preseason matchup against the Eagles.
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4. Josh Uche steps up
After having a rocky start to his NFL career, Josh Uche finds himself in a backup role behind Kyle Van Noy. So far this offseason, Uche has been a bright spot on the Patriots' defense. He's stepped up with Van Noy dealing with an injury. New England seems excited about his development. For that reason, Josh Uche should see plenty of playing time on Thursday night, where he'll make a case to have a major role in New England's outside linebacker rotation.
3. Rhamondre Stevenson has another big run
In the Patriots' preseason opener, Rhamondre Stevenson made a big play, taking it to the house on a 91-yard touchdown run. Stevenson was a stud running back in college and he flashed his abilities in the Patriots' first preseason game. New England is known to utilize a committee approach in the backfield, which gives Stevenson a real opportunity to earn a role on the offense. Look for Rhamondre Stevenson to make some noise against the Eagles, as he should receive a good chunk of work.
2. Jakobi Meyers shines
Jakobi Meyers has played as the most consistent wide receiver on the Patriots' offense. He burst onto the scene last year after playing as Cam Newton's favorite target. Although New England brought in a plethora of pass options this offseason, Meyers has been the favorite target for both Newton and Jones. Jakobi Meyers is in a situation where he could become the top wide receiver in New England. Look for him to make a big play, or two, on Thursday night.
1. Cam Newton and Mac Jones both play well
Cam Newton and Mac Jones have both been impressive so far this offseason. Newton seems comfortable under center and determined to have a bounce-back year. Meanwhile, Jones has played above expectations as he prepares to become the starting quarterback one day. This has been a tight race throughout and the second preseason game might make the decision even more difficult for the coaching staff.
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