The Philadelphia Eagles are traveling to Foxborough for a pair of joint practices against the New England Patriots ahead of their preseason clash this weekend. These joint efforts usually see plenty of fireworks, so here's a quick overview of what to keep an eye on over the next two days.
The two teams will compete in a pair of joint practices on Aug. 19 and 20 before their preseason game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST.
It doesn't need saying, but this is of course going to be A.J Brown's first on-field interaction with his former team since he was traded to the Patriots earlier this offseason. Even now, the waters seem murky. Did he leave on good terms, or was there really a lot of tension under the surface? The viral clip of Drake Maye seemingly asking A.J about Jalen Hurts during the Pats' opening preseason game might well attest to the latter, but one way or another, we'll find out this week.
There's bound to be relentless media buzz and endless questions being asked surrounding the situation, but what happens on the field when Brown lines up against Riq Woolen, or better yet, Quinyon Mitchell once again? Will there be any physical scuffles as players get caught up in the heat of the moment? We're accustomed to seeing a few anyway, and now there's gasoline already poured over the field waiting for someone to set it alight.
I can't imagine we'll hear much at all from Jalen Hurts, but who's to say what the practices will bring in terms of intensity and any extra fuel to those fires.
Aside from the obvious, there are some great matchups on paper that will be key for the Eagles' coaching staff in terms of evaluating talent. One of the big matchups involves Pats' EDGE Bradyn Swanson and Eagles' OT's Markell Bell and Myles Hinton.
Swinson looked like a menace against the Colts, pressuring Riley Leonard relentlessly, while both young tackles have been praised throughout camp. Swinson is a rapid and versatile rusher who is bound to cause problems and give the next generation of pass-blockers a few more things to think about over the coming days.
It's also worth noting that Brown isn't the only former Eagle mixing it up against his old teammates. Milton Williams commanded a huge contract following his breakout season with the Birds, and fresh off the heels of another Super Bowl appearance, now faces off against the likes of Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson once more.
We could also point to the matchups outside. Gonzo vs Smitty if the right dominoes fall? Cinema. Makai Lemon will meanwhile be working against productive veteran Marcus Jones, and given Lemon's slow start to the summer, this will be a great opportunity to get up to speed.
No matter where you look, there's going to be battles of relevance. Whether you're locked in on Uar Bernard's growth or want to get the popcorn ready, there will undoubtedly be something for everyone.
MORE: Who's winning the Eagles QB2 battle after the preseason opener?
