FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots hold a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on "Monday Night Football." Passing along a handful of observations and notes from the opening period:

1. With Tom Brady out, it was second-year quarterback Ryan Mallett taking snaps with the Patriots starters to open the game. In fact, Mallett played the entire quarter (which included three drives), finishing 6-for-12 for 60 yards. It wasn't all pretty by Mallett from this vantage point (including an interception that was nullified by an Eagles' penalty), but he showed that he wasn't afraid to stand in the pocket and take a hit. Along the offensive line, the Patriots started (from left to right) Nate Solder, Nick McDonald, Ryan Wendell, Dan Connolly and Marcus Cannon.

2. Though running back Stevan Ridley was in uniform, it was Shane Vereen getting the early touches from the backfield. Ridley may end up sitting this one out as he continues to recover from a recent injury, and Vereen toted the heavy load with nine carries for 19 yards.

3. Defensive end Jermaine Cunnngham was able to turn the corner on veteran tackle Todd Herremans and apply a cage-rattling hit on Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. The hit was to the left side of Vick's torso and knocked him out of the game. He had X-rays on his ribs following the hit, it was announced.

4. 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.

5. Safety Patrick Chung left the field after making a tackle on Eagles running back LeSean McCoy and did not return (he went to the locker room). Too soon to speculate on the nature and severity of the injury.

6. Stephen Gostkowski nailed a 51-yard field goal, his first make of the preseason. Unlike the Patriots' preseason opener, Gostkowski handled all the kickoff duties.

7. Penalty box: The Patriots were flagged for one penalty in the opening quarter: offensive tackle Cannon for holding.