The New England Patriots lost their unbeaten record in the preseason on Thursday, falling 13-14 to the Philadelphia Eagles in a closely contested game that was decided in the final three minutes. Despite the disappointing outcome, there were some notable performances from players such as rookie QB Drake Maye, who showcased glimpses of his potential as a top-three draft pick, and defensive end Keion White, who displayed signs of becoming a future star. The receiving corps also had multiple players making catches. However, the offensive line emerged as a significant concern for the Patriots in their preseason defeat.
Throughout the night, the Patriots experienced numerous missed chances on the offensive line, involving both their starters and those further down the depth chart. The most significant blunder occurred during the last play of the game, when Liam Fornadel, lined up as center, delivered a botched snap to Bailey Zappe (the third such error of the evening), effectively securing an Eagles victory with two minutes remaining.
While the backup players faced their own challenges, the performance of the Patriots’ starting lineup was not significantly better. Starting left tackle Vederian Lowe had several shaky moments, allowing Drake Maye to endure more pressure than is advisable for a rookie quarterback.
The Patriots have some talent on their offensive line, featuring dependable players like Mike Onwenu and David Andrews, who hold down the right guard and center positions, along with promising prospects like Sidy Sow and an injured Cole Strange. However, their five-man unit isn’t fully established and has room for improvement.
As the Patriots focus on offensive development this season, strong protection from the offensive line will be crucial for their success. A formidable offense depends on solid line play, and without that support for their young quarterback, it may be challenging to kickstart their rebuilding efforts.
Before heading into week one, the Patriots will have one last preseason game against the Washington Commanders, set to begin at 7 PM on Sunday, August 25th.
