Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady Bob Breidenbach/The Providence Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Eagles set to crash Tom Brady's party

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated Sep 9, 2023 8:08 PM ET

New England opens the regular season as four-point underdogs to Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon. But even as favorites, the Eagles hope to play spoiler when a certain retired quarterback comes back to the fold.

The Patriots plan to honor Tom Brady at halftime of the team's home opener. Brady spent 20 years as the team’s quarterback and he’s bringing 20 members of his family for the celebration.

Many of Brady’s old teammates will also be back to help fans give him a proper send off. But if last year’s stats are any indication, the Patriots’ mid-game celebration could be over before it starts.

The Patriots ceremony for Tom Brady tomorrow will take place at halftime in Eagles season opener

Brandon Graham said he will make sure to say hello to Tom! pic.twitter.com/3qHiNbOUuL
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) September 9, 2023

In 2022, only the Kansas City Chiefs scored more regular-season points than Philadelphia. More importantly, the Eagles outscored their opponents by 41 points in the first halves of games. Meanwhile the Patriots were outscored by 50 points in the first halves of their contests.

New England scored three points or fewer in the first half of five games last season, including their home opener against the Miami Dolphins, when their only score came midway through the third quarter.

Philadelphia finished with 256 first-half points last season, 120 more than New England. For the most part, the Eagles are running back a team that came within three points of winning Super Bowl LVII seven months ago. That doesn’t bode well for halftime.

If Patriots head coach Bill Belichick can’t find a way to overcome an Eagles defense that gave up the second-fewest yards per game last year, Philadelphia might hang 80 on Brady before he ever gets near a microphone

Sunday will be the first time New England gets to celebrate their future Hall of Famer, but it won’t be the last. Team owner Robert Kraft has said he’d like to do something for Brady every year. Still, you have to wonder why the team would choose a game against the defending NFC champions to get the party started.

Bruce Ewing

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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