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The Philadelphia Eagles will begin their march towards a second straight NFC crown with a season-opening matchup against the New England Patriots. Jalen Hurts is coming off a spectacular 14-1 regular season campaign, while Mac Jones will be looking to rebound from a subpar 2022 season.
New England Patriots vs Philadelphia Eagles – game predictions
Contents
The Eagles are a 4-point road favorite with a total of 44.5 points. The spread has moved up from Eagles -3.5 despite Bill Belichick’s track record of slowing down high-powered offenses.
Prediction 1: Eagles -4 @ -110 (1.91)
The Eagles were 7-0 in road games during the regular season last year with Hurts under center. The MVP runner-up posted multi-touchdowns in 13 of 18 games a year ago while tallying over 5,000 total yards. Wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combined for 183 catches for 2,692 yards and 18 touchdowns. Although Belichick is an expert at dissecting opposing offensive units, Philadelphia will have numerous big plays on both sides of the ball, allowing the visitors to cover the spread easily.
Prediction 2: Devonta Smith anytime touchdown scorer @ +170 (2.70)
Four of Smith’s seven touchdowns last year came on the road, and the former Heisman Trophy winner is in a great spot to find the end zone in Week 1. The Patriots’ main focus will be on Hurts and A.J. Brown, providing Smith with multiple opportunities to produce a big play. Look for the speedy receiver to open the season with a touchdown and 100-plus yard receiving.
Patriots vs Eagles preview – Can the Patriots score enough points?
The Patriots’ dysfunctional offense should be more productive this season but will struggle on Sunday against the Eagles’ ferocious pass rush. Jones will need to get the ball out quickly to his running backs and tight ends, but this is not a winning strategy if New England finds itself trailing by double-digit points.
New England Patriots form, news and injuries
The offense should be improved with new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien calling the plays, but the Patriots simply do not have enough elite offensive playmakers. The defense should once again be solid but will need help to carry the team in a loaded AFC East division.
New England Patriots injury report
• DB Jack Jones (hamstring) is out
• RB Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) is questionable
• WR DeVante Parker (knee) is questionable
• OL Cole Strange (knee) is questionable
• OL Mike Onwenu (ankle) is questionable
Philadelphia Eagles form, news and injuries
The Eagles barely missed winning their second Vince Lombardi Trophy last season and are in a great position to make another deep playoff run. Hurts enjoyed an MVP-caliber season a year ago, and one of the league’s top defensive units might be even better this year.
Philadelphia Eagles injury report
• None
Patriots vs Eagles head to head record
The Eagles lead the all-time series 8-7, but the Patriots have won five of the last seven meetings:
• 2019: Patriots won 17-10 in Philadelphia
• 2018: Eagles won 41-33 in the Super Bowl
• 2015: Eagles won 35-28 in New England
• 2011: Patriots won 38-20 in Philadelphia
• 2007: Patriots won 31-28 in New England
Key match details
• Date & Time: Sunday, September 10, 2023, 04:25 p.m. ET
• Venue: Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts
• Where to watch match in UK: Sky Sports (TV), fuboTV, or other live stream
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