The defending National Football League (NFL) champions New England Patriots absorbed their first back-to-back defeats since 2012, when they fell to the Philadelphia Eagles at home last Sunday, 35–28.
Before the loss to the Eagles, the Patriots also lost in overtime to the Denver Broncos in Week 12, which ended a 10-game winning streak to open the 2015 regular season.
The defeat last Sunday was surprising since the Eagles are struggling this season. Before the huge win over New England, the Eagles were on a three-game losing slide.
New England had a blazing start to the second quarter as franchise quarterback Tom Brady connected with touchdown passes to running back James White (four yards) and wide receiver Danny Amendola (11 yards) for an early 14–0 lead.
But the Eagles were ready and rallied as returning quarterback Sam Bradford threw a pass to tight end Zach Ertz for a five-yard touchdown.
Still down seven, Eagles linebacker Najee Goode returned a blocked punt (24 yards) to tie the score 14–14 to finish the first half.
In the third quarter, Philadelphia took control and scored off a touchdown and a punt return to take the lead 28–14 heading to the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Eagles' Bradford threw his second touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordan Matthews for a 10-yard score to increase their lead 35–14.
The Pats tried to catch up and scored two touchdowns, but it was not enough as the champions failed to salvage the game for a win.
The Patriots' Brady was not in his top form during the game, only completing 29-of-56 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns, also throwing two interceptions and was sacked four times.
New England might be experiencing the difficulties of playing without some of its key offensive players who are currently nursing injuries.
The Pats will aim to bounce back and return to their winning ways this Sunday when they hit the road and pay the Houston Texans a visit for Week 14 action.
