Eagles grades vs. Patriots: Running backs have strong performance, QB2 role still undecided in 24-21 loss

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Instant grades on the Eagles’ performance in their 24-21 loss to the Patriots:

Jalen Hurts and the starting offense got the night off after getting plenty of work in two joint practices with the Patriots. Andy Dalton was given his second straight start ahead of Tanner McKee. He was once again erratic as a passer. Dalton completed just 3 of 10 passes for 44 yards. He had a couple misfires in which he overthrew Eagles receivers on the first drive. Dalton had a strong throw to convert an early fourth down. But he failed to recognize an unblocked blitz in the second quarter and never looked in sync. He hasn’t done enough to win the No. 2 job.

McKee took over before the half. He was more effective than Dalton, but far from great. McKee was most productive when he got the ball out quickly or to running back Carson Steele. He struggled at times when he went beyond his first reads from the pocket. But he was decisive on schemed up layups off play-action and misdirection.

» READ MORE: Eagles offense shows growth in preseason game No. 2, backup QB race heats up in 24-21 loss at Patriots

In all, McKee completed 16 of 22 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. He held the ball too long and took a sack before the half. He also got pressured out of the pocket on third down in the fourth quarter and threw wide of his safety valve.

Rookie Cole Payton didn’t play until the Eagles’ last-gasp possession. He stepped back into a game-ending strip sack.

Tank Bigsby was one of several healthy Eagles who didn’t dress after playing in the preseason opener. That meant Will Shipley got the nod in the backfield. He picked up where he left off in a strong joint practice performance. Shipley rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. He ran with vision and motored 18 yards off the right on his first carry. Shipley kept his legs churning on a later 9-yard rush and on his 5-yard touchdown.

Steele looked nimble with the ball in his hands after short throws from McKee. He hurdled a defender on a 14-yard catch and run in the second quarter. Steele had the Eagles’ longest reception, for 28 yards, in the third quarter. And he scored a go-ahead 20-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter. Steele finished with six catches for 84 yards. It was tougher sledding on the ground. He averaged just 2.8 yards a carry.

Makai Lemon was still out with a hamstring injury. The Eagles are hoping their No. 1 draft pick will be healthy enough for the preseason finale on Friday. Hollywood Brown, like Bigsby, got the night off after playing a week ago. Elijah Moore was sidelined with a neck injury he suffered on Wednesday. Darius Cooper looked better than he did against the Ravens. He had a 25-yard pickup with yards after the catch on a short crosser in the first quarter. Cooper also converted a short fourth down with a 13-yard catch in the soft spot of a zone.

Eli Stowers has yet to pop. It’s still early for the rookie tight end. But it’s clear that he has a way to go as a blocker and a receiver. He had no chance vs. a Patriots edge on an early one-on-one block attempt. But Stowers helped clear out a lane for Shipley on his 5-yard score. He was covered on two targets through the air.

Receiver Britain Covey scored a 14-yard touchdown just before the half when he navigated into the end zone after a screen pass. Quez Watkins couldn’t reel in a Dalton pass that was catchable. Cameron Latu had some nice moments as blocking tight end. He also had a 14-yard grab. Tight end Stone Smartt caught five passes for 37 yards. Receiver Erik Ezukanma committed a personal foul with a crackback block in the fourth quarter.

Willie Lampkin started at center. He had several impressive moments when he climbed to the second level and bottled up linebackers. Drew Kendall started at left guard. He appeared to hold up as a run blocker, as well, particularly on Shipley’s touchdown. The interior pass protection was also solid when Lampkin and Kendall were in the lineup. They were pulled in the second quarter and are roster locks.

Rookie Markel Bell continued to show promise at right tackle. He helped create a hole on Shipley’s 18-yard tote. The 6-foot-9 Bell still has to work on getting out of his crouch, but he moves well for his size. He got upended at one point, but stayed in the game. Fred Johnson was Bell’s counterpart at left tackle. He didn’t allow any obvious pressure to Dalton’s blindside. It’s unclear if Bell or Johnson has done enough to be the clear swing tackle.

Jake Majors started at right guard and later played some center. He helped lead the way on Shipley’s 18-yarder. But he struggled with a block that led to a tackle for loss on a run play in the first quarter.

The second unit O-line was up and down. Tackles Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams and guards Micah Morris and Michael Jordan kept McKee relatively clean in the pocket. They had more issues in opening holes on the ground for Steele. Williams was the guilty party that allowed the game-ending strip sack of Payton.

Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen high-fives fans after the Eagles lost to the Patriots, 24-21 in a preseason.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer

Ty Robinson notched his second and third sacks of the preseason. He split the center and the left guard and gobbled up Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito on the first and stunted outside and closed quickly for the second. Robinson is no longer “on life support.” He’ll make the final roster. Defensive tackle Gabe Hall drew a third-down holding penalty after running a twist on the Patriots’ opening series. He had several run stops.

» READ MORE: Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson, whose game was ‘on life support,’ quiets doubters with another strong showing

Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa started at outside linebacker. Epenesa was effective in setting the edge against the run. They each played just a few series. Jose Ramirez batted a pass incomplete on a naked bootleg in which he was unblocked. Joshua Weru registered a sack with a strong outside rush in the third quarter. In run defense, he got pushed around some when setting the edge.

Rookie Uar Bernard still has a lot to learn. But it’s not like the defensive tackle has looked alien out there. Tarron Jackson teamed up with another Eagles defender for a run tackle for loss in the third quarter. Zion Wilson drew a holding penalty on the first play from scrimmage. He had an early run stop for no gain.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was in the backfield at the snap and DeVito had no chance to avoid a sack early on. He an additional four tackles before he was taken out in the second quarter. Smael Mondon took a bad angle on an early screen pass. He blitzed once and nearly got home.

Chance Campbell was on the field after Trotter left. He defeated a lead block to make a run stop near the line in the second quarter. He tallied seven tackles. Deontae Lawson showed occasional good instincts against the run. He got cut down on a 20-yard rush up the middle late in the third quarter.

Mac McWilliams started on the outside opposite Kelee Ringo. He gave up a number of early catches and whiffed on a tackle attempt in the second quarter. Ringo should have had an interception on the first DeVito pass thrown in his direction. He didn’t give up much else.

Ambry Thomas had brutal back-to-back plays in the second quarter when he slid off a receiver and then got toasted on a go route by Patriots receiver Kyle Williams for a 69-yard touchdown.

Shaun Wade got beat for a 24-yard reception in the second quarter. He punched the ball out for a fumble in the fourth quarter and led the Eagles with 10 stops. Kapena Gushiken came up and made a few strong run tackles from the slot. Isaiah Bolden, who was just signed to the roster a few days ago, got burned on the Patriots’ game-winning 37-yard touchdown. There was no safety help

Michael Carter II started at safety and played just one series. His versatility has assured him a spot on the team. Rookie Cole Wisniewski played in his first NFL game after missing a few weeks of camp. He looked solid upon first glance and had four tackles. Wisniewski and Andre Sam didn’t get beat in the post. Sam made a number of plays near the box. He’s had a solid summer and could sneak onto the 53, or at least the practice squad.

Maximus Pulley has been one of the more promising undrafted rookies. He didn’t stand out good or bad at safety. He’s also a nice special teams performer.

Ja’Quinden Jackson suffered a serious injury on the opening kickoff of the game. The Eagles running back required medical attention from both teams and eventually had to be placed on a stretcher and taken away in an ambulance to a local hospital. The team later said he had strength and movement in all his extremities.

Kicker Jake Elliott connected on all three extra points. The Eagles’ kickoff coverage was sound. Punter Braden Mann averaged 42 net yards on four boots. Covey muffed his first punt return, but was able to avoid a fumble. He bounced back with a 21-yard return on his next try. In all, Covey averaged 9.5 yards on four returns.

Nick Sirianni, to no surprise, opted to not dress his starters on both sides of the ball. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel did the same. The Eagles looked more cohesive and prepared than they did a week ago, although it’s difficult to place much stock in the preseason. They still lost another game. Aside from Jackson, there weren’t any apparent significant injuries.

Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion called plays from the booth a week after doing so from the sideline. He favored the ground game with Shipley and the O-line having early production. The dropback pass game left much to be desired, however. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s group was relatively sharp. The front seven was physical and got push and penetration. There were some sloppy moments throughout the game, as was to be expected.

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