Three things to watch for in Friday’s Eagles-Pats game

Nick Foles throws during an Eagles practice session at Franklin Field. Credit: Charles Mostoller, Metro

It’s becoming an annual spectacle, the joint-training camp practiced with the Eagles and Patriots.

And though on the field the competition gets a little more heated and offers the Birds a chance to face off with another squad, it’s still practice.

But Boston Globe reporter Ben Volin thinks it’s been a little more than that.

“I’m watching this practice, I think it might be a Super Bowl preview,’ Volin said on Comcast SportsNet New England.

The starters, as they always do, will get limited reps during the Friday night affair, which kicks off on 6ABC at 7:30 p.m. But there are still several good reasons to tune in. Here are the top three.

1. Birds’ wide receiver depth

There is a very high chance the Eagles’ two top wideouts, Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper will be sitting out against the Patriots due to minor injuries.

With rookies Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff locks to make the 53-man roster, the Eagles will likely need a little more depth at receiver when the season starts.

This opens a window for ArreliousBenn, Jeff Maehl or Ifeanyi Momah, with solid play, to make the team.

2. Tom Brady vs. Eagles secondary

The Eagles defense has been working against Tom Brady all week.

“It’s good to go up against really good competition,” Brady after practice Wednesday. “It brings out the best in all of us. We made our fair share of plays.”

And even if the Eagles hadn’t had a few days to look at Brady, the Patriots have a fast-paced offense modeled similarly to their own, making them uniquely suited to stop him.

Brady tore the Eagles secondary apart last preseason and will surely be gunning to do it again. Birds fans are hoping Cary Williams can put his money where his mouth is.

3. Nick Foles vs. Patriots defense

Nick Foles has had as much offseason hype as any player in the NFL

His record-setting 2013 put him in the spotlight and into conversations of elite quarterbacks across the league.

And though he hasn’t played horribly during training camp, he threw two interceptions in last week against the Bears (the same number he threw in all of 2013), and some Eagles fans are getting nervous. If Foles can play well and avoid a trip to Revis Island it will go a long way toward calming some nerves.