Patriots vs. Eagles: TV, Odds, Injury Update
The New England Patriots host the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in the season opener for both teams. The Eagles are fresh off an NFC championship and a close Super Bowl defeat, while the Patriots are hoping to recover from a disappointing 8-9 season and a third-place finish in the AFC East with no playoff appearance.
Although Tom Brady is retired and hasn't played for the Patriots since 2019, the Eagles will be walking into the Tom Brady show as he'll be in the stadium and being honored by his former team. Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots have struggled to find Brady's replacement since he left.
Cam Newton followed Brady in 2020 and struggled to a 7-9 record while the team missed the postseason for the first time in more than 10 seasons. Newton was then beaten out for the starting job by then-rookie Mac Jones in 2021. Jones led the team back to the playoffs and earned Pro Bowl honors. But 2022 was another down year as the Patriots' offense muddled around in the bottom half of the league statistically.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, on the other hand, threw for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also rushing for 760 yards and 13 more scores. He was rewarded with a five-year, $255 million contract in the offseason.
Hurts and Jones will forever be connected as college teammates, although the success that Hurts has found in the NFL has eluded Jones.
“Mac has always been a great competitor,” Hurts said. “He had a hunger for the game and just learning. Always challenging himself. I’m looking forward to him doing big things this year.”
Jones doesn't think that following the legacy of Brady has hurt his progress. “I think Tom Brady’s the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL. So, to follow up on him, it’s just trying to chase the standard that he set, every day,” Jones said. “Honestly, we’re definitely two different players, and that’s the only advice I’d have. Just continue to grow and be yourself, right? That’s all you can do, is put your best foot forward and compete. But yeah, it’s definitely big shoes to fill.”
It will also be the return of Eagles senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia to Gillette Stadium. Patricia spent most of his 16 seasons in New England, including six as defensive coordinator from 2012-2017.
Follow along on game day with PatriotsCountry.com for all the in-game updates.
WHAT: Philadelphia Eagles (0-0) at New England Patriots (0-0)
WHERE: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts (64,628)
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, 4:25 p.m. ET
TELEVISION: CBS / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: 98.5 FM The Sports Hub
TICKETS: SI Tickets
BETTING: SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Eagles -3.5
TOTAL: 44.5
MONEYLINE: Eagles -200, Patriots +160
