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By Tony Moss, NFL Editor

(Sports Network) - The defending AFC Champion New England Patriots will try to shake off a rough preseason start on Friday night, when Bill Belichick and company host the Philadelphia Eagles in the third tune-up for each club.

New England has not looked sharp in August losses to the Ravens (16-15) and Buccaneers (27-10), with the absence of quarterback Tom Brady seemingly ranking among the prime culprits in that performance.

Brady is considered questionable for this week due to a lingering foot injury, and will yield to backup candidates Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez, and Kevin O'Connell if he is unable to play.

Cassel (7-of-14 passing, 68 yards in the preseason), Gutierrez (10-of-16, 76 yards, 1 INT), and O'Connell (12-of-28, 112 yards, 2 INT) have combined for four interceptions without a touchdown pass in the preseason to date.

Also looking for improvement on Friday night will be New England starting running back Laurence Maroney, who has mustered just 21 yards on 13 carries during the month of August.

Like New England, Philadelphia will be seeking a stronger offensive performance in its third preseason tilt as well.

The Eagles were shut out for three quarters against the Carolina Panthers last week, though the team's reserves eventually recovered to lift the team to a 24-13 victory.

Of particular note for Andy Reid's squad will be the work of the receiving corps, which was dealt a blow earlier this week when it was reported that Kevin Curtis would miss the start of the season with a sports hernia.

Rookie DeSean Jackson (12 receptions, 122 yards in the preseason) and holdovers Greg Lewis (6 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD) and Hank Baskett (4 receptions, 53 yards) should see a bulk of the time with the first unit on Friday. In addition to Curtis, wideout Reggie Brown (hamstring) is expected to miss Friday's matchup.

Elsewhere on offense, Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews, who reported to camp late after a battle with depression, could see his first action of the preseason against New England.

Facing his former team will be Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel, who played five seasons in New England before defecting to Philadelphia via free agency this past offseason.

The Patriots lead the all-time preseason series with the Eagles, 9-8, breaking a deadlock in the series with a a 24-6 home victory prior to the 2004 season.

The clubs also met in a memorable Sunday night contest last Nov. 25, with New England coming from behind to win, 31-28, at Gillette Stadium.