Eagles Edge Out Browns in Sloppy 20-16 Win but Concerns Linger
The Eagles secured a win against the Cleveland Browns with a 20-16 victory, improving their season record to 3-2, but it wasn’t exactly the dominant performance many hoped for. This game, held at Lincoln Financial Field, was marred by missed opportunities and inconsistency. It was a matchup between a fully-rested Eagles squad coming off a bye week, and a Browns team struggling at 1-4 and with limited offensive firepower. Despite all signs pointing toward a comfortable Eagles win, it was anything but.
The Eagles’ offense, which seemed poised to exploit a weakened Browns team, struggled to find rhythm throughout most of the game. Jalen Hurts’ rocky 0-for-5 start raised some eyebrows, but he ultimately found his footing, finishing with 264 passing yards and two touchdowns. Key connections with star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith were highlights, including a 22-yard touchdown pass to Brown and a 45-yard strike to Smith. Hurts avoided turnovers and showed composure, but the offense still lacked consistent execution. It's been almost a year since the Eagles put together a full 60 minutes of complete football, and this game followed that frustrating trend.
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Defensively, the Eagles performed well, especially against a Browns offense missing a reliable quarterback. They held Cleveland to 244 total yards, allowed just nine offensive points, and racked up five sacks. Deshaun Watson was under constant pressure, and the Eagles’ defensive line performed admirably. Yet, the performance is tempered by the fact that Cleveland’s passing attack is one of the worst in the league. The defense did what was necessary, but it remains to be seen how they'll hold up against more formidable offenses in the coming weeks.
One of the brighter spots for the Eagles was their ability to close out the game. A late drive to run out the clock was crucial, especially after Cleveland threatened to make things interesting late in the fourth quarter. Some lesser-known players, like Grant Calcaterra and Jahan Dotson, stepped up in critical moments, providing Hurts with much-needed options beyond his star receivers.
Special teams, however, proved to be a weak point once again. A blocked field goal by Myles Garrett, which was returned for a Browns touchdown, nearly swung the momentum. It’s a recurring issue for the Eagles, with miscues on special teams continuing to haunt them this season.
While the win improves the Eagles' record, there’s no denying the concerns. The inability to put away a struggling Browns team raises questions about whether this squad can find the consistency needed to contend as the season progresses. The Eagles have now gone 16 straight games without winning by more than one possession, which is an alarming trend for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
With a challenging stretch of games against the Giants, Bengals, and Jaguars on the horizon, the Eagles must figure out how to play a more complete game. The flashes of brilliance are there, but the inconsistency remains a lingering issue that could hurt them moving forward.
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