Patriots edge Eagles 24-21 in preseason opener

New England Patriots secured a 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the second preseason contest at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night. Rookie quarterback Behren Morton completed 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown, delivering the game-winning 37-yard score to wide receiver Nick DeGennaro. Morton also handled punting duties after starter Bryce Baringer struggled with his first two punts.

Second-year receivers Efton Chism III and Kyle Williams contributed on offense. Chism caught four passes for 45 yards, including a 24-yard third-down conversion, while Williams recorded a 69-yard touchdown after beating defender Ambry Thomas.

Defensively, cornerback Kindle Vildor forced an incompletion and broke up a third-down pass after an intercepted ball was called back for a penalty. Safety John Saunders Jr. added a pass breakup on rookie tight end Eli Stowers and helped contain Philadelphia’s play-action plays.

Running back Lan Larison logged nine carries for 33 yards and a touchdown, plus three receptions for 41 yards. Head coach Bill Belichick praised his effort, saying, "> I felt like Lan certainly had a good performance, a gritty, tough performance tonight, and did some really good things."

The Patriots’ offensive line continued to show weakness, with backup guard James Hudson III allowing a sack, pressure and two holding penalties on the opening drive. Linebacker Chad Muma missed two tackles in the first half, left the field with an injury in the final minute, and the team also lost Khalil Jacobs to injury.

Other notable performances included tight end Tommy DeVito’s touchdown pass to Williams, undrafted wide receiver Nick DeGennaro’s game-winning catch, and rookie pass rusher Q. Hutchins’ strip sack that helped seal the win. Kicker Andy Borregales made all four of his attempts, including a 41-yard field goal, after a rough debut in the previous game.