Takeaways going into week 2.

Week 1 of the preseason has came and went, following the high scoring affair against Philly this past weekend. The Patriots will be getting ready to continue working on their offense and defense heading into week 2 against a more stiffer test on defense. Heading into week 2, these are some of the best and worst takeaways of the past game against the Eagles.

Positive takeaway: Tom Brady

Brady played extremely well in the time he did play in, only one of his passes wasn't completed and he picked apart the Eagles defense when given the time to do so. He also showed off some deadly accuracy in the second touchdown, a pass thrown to Vereen.

 Negative takeaway: Stephen Gostkowski

Gostkowski seemed to love kicking the ball right. Both of his misses came from the ball blowing by the right upright. While he only made one field goal from 34 yards out, Gostkowski needs to even out his game before the start of the season or the kicking game may be a weekly problem Belichick didn't expect.

Positive Takeaway: Anyone as a running back

The running game blew up the Eagles with 248 rushing yards combined, nearly averaging a first down every carry at 8.0 yards per carry. Blount had a Madden 13 like run shaking and blowing off the entire Eagles defense, and Ridley took off on the first play of the game for some 60 yard burst. If the running game shows up like that every week? Look out.

Positive Takeaway: Kenbrell Thompkins

While his stat line may not show anything positive, the name sure does raise some eyebrows. Who is this kid? He came out and caught basically everything thrown his way by Brady including one tough grab with the corner nearing committing pass interference. While it was just one game and he did only get 4 catches for 23 yards. It'll be interesting to see how he plays against Tampa.

Negative Takeaway: Aaron Dobson

One great catch by running a great route and add on another grab and that's all Dobson did beside drop the football. Targeted 8 times, but only catching the ball twice. Sure it's just one game, but seeing Dobson drop balls he should catch isn't something Patriots fans or coaching staff expected from their 2nd round draft pick

*(Personal side note, we share the same birthdays)  

Positive Takeaway: Ryan Allen

The punter giving Zoltan Mesko a run for his money did out perform him in the first preseason game. While 5 punts were attempted (3 Mesko, 2 Allen) Allen's average per punt was nearly 10 yards more and his longest punt was 10 yards more. Furthermore, while Mesko had one more punt than Allen, Allen was 26 yards shy from eclipsing Mesko in total punting yards. If the Patriots can get more yards from their punter, it could bode well for their shaky defense.