The Patriots host the Philadelphia Eagles tonight in preseason game number two. The teams did a joint practice on Tuesday and it was dominated by the Eagles. The Philadelphia front seven in particular was dominate, racking up over ten sacks in various team periods.

The Patriots will play the starters some so the expectation is that they will play better tonight.

Here five offensive and defensive elements of out game plan.  

Offense

• Max protect and check release the tight ends and the running backs. The offensive line will need help so more six and seven man protections.

• Throw three step early with Maye. Get him into a rhythm. Throw the All-American buddy route, a hitch early to get him into the flow of the game.

• More man gap running schemes against this aggressive Vic Fangio defense. The Patriots should still run their zone running game but angle blocks could give this front issues. 

• Perimeter screens on running downs. Make them get up field and have to chase the ball in space. 

• Use trips and motion to get them out of their split coverages. Do not let Fangio get comfortable from a coverage standpoint. Get him out of pressures. 

Defense

• T-E stunts to cloud the quarterbacks reads in the zone running game. 

• Play basic Cover 2 Man versus 11 personnel. It allows the the secondary to be aggressive underneath with help over the top. 

• Mix up the fronts. The Patriots won’t show much but they should show more than they did last week. They need to gradually build up their add-ons ahead of the opener in three weeks.

-Show more 30 fronts on medium and long downs. Play some Okie and Split Cheat for reps.

-Vary coverages. Give them some split coverages and force them to adjust.

Special Teams

-Continue to emphasize hitting the gaps in the dynamic kick return and vary the return so that both returners get work.