5 takeaways from second Patriots-Eagles joint practice

The New England Patriots opened their final public practice to the public for the second day in a row, as they hosted the Philadelphia Eagles for a joint practice. Here are the key takeaways from the session:

1. The Patriots' defense dominated the Eagles, intercepting five passes, with cornerback Marcus Jones contributing two crucial interceptions, including a potential game-winning pick-six. The Eagles responded with two interceptions of their own, one on a pass to wide receiver A.J. Brown, who reportedly made a mistake in the red zone.

2. The teams displayed their competitive nature but avoided physical altercations. Despite being high-profile teams, coaches and referees quickly separated any scuffles that arose during the 11-on-11 periods. The biggest confrontation occurred between the Patriots' defense and Eagles' offense, involving cornerback Marcus Jones and an Eagles receiver.

3. Quarterback Tommy DeVito's performance varied throughout the practice. During the 11-on-11 periods, he struggled initially, going two-for-nine with no touchdowns. However, after a brief break, he performed significantly better, completing seven of his next nine passes, including a key touchdown to Romeo Doubs.

4. The Patriots' wide receiver battle remains unclear. During the practice, multiple players from the Patriots and Eagles were utilized as kick returners, with four players returning kicks in total. This uncertainty about the Week 1 kickoff returner's status will be a major talking point during Saturday's preseason game.