Mac Jones might be applying pressure to be named the Patriots starter. Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Newton may be the starter entering the season for the New England Patriots, but Mac Jones is applying some pressure.

The Patriots rolled in their second preseason game Thursday, defeating the Eagles 35-0. Newton started the game and went 8-of-9 for 103 yards and a touchdown. Both of his drives should have produced points, but Quinn Nordin missed a 36-yard field-goal attempt on one of the possessions.

Jones came on next at quarterback. He produced three touchdowns in four possessions during his time at quarterback, which was sandwiched between Newton and Brian Hoyer.

In the team’s first preseason game, Jones had two field goal drives in five series.

Through two games, Jones has produced points in five of nine series.

Perhaps Jones’ play will bring the best out of Newton, which would be a positive for the Patriots. Whatever helps their offense get better quarterback play than they had last year will be important. But if he keeps playing like he did on Thursday, Jones will be applying pressure in the race with Newton.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Raptors expected to flip former NBA champion during the offseason
MLB insider reveals Mets' massive extension offer that Pete Alonso turned down
Celtics legend provides update after gruesome finger injury
Bulls hire former NBA head coach as top assistant
Chiefs move on from young running back
20-year MLB veteran working out, unsure about playing future
USA Hockey names HC for 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympics
Key Knicks forward ruled out for Game 7 vs. Pacers
Pacers' Pascal Siakam leads team to Game 6 win vs. Knicks
Watch: Matt Duchene's 2OT winner sends Stars to conference final
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Report: Tua Tagovailoa away from Dolphins amid contract chatter
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals