The Patriots were without a number of defensive stalwarts, but managed to keep what was essentially Philadelphia’s starting offense (until Vick was knocked out) out of the end zone. Of note defensively: linebacker Brandon Spikes made his preseason debut, and it wasn’t long before he reminded us of his glass eating mentality with a big stuff on an early run. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower was calling the defensive signals in place of Jerod Mayo, who is dressed but not playing. Hightower showed up with a number of solid open field tackles. Defensive lineman Ron Brace did well to generate pressure from the interior of the line.