Eagles Disappoint Against Browns

The Philadelphia Eagles displayed yet another showing of too little too late this Sunday as they fell to the Cleveland Browns. The Birds couldn’t get it together and took a maddening loss against a beatable foe. What started as a defensive game quickly got out of hand as Baker Mayfield and company left Wentz and the rest in the dust. An overall pitiful performance had fans melting down at both sides of the ball. 

Eagles Early Issues

This game looked like it was going to be a headache from the start. After a pleasant stop from the defense, the offense began to drive. Miles Sanders flashed his incredible abilities pummeling the Browns and running all over them the majority of the drive. However, Sanders had the ball knocked loose at the 5-yard line, stopping the drive dead in its tracks. The Browns would rally behind this turnover and march all the way to the 1-yard line, where the Eagles D stood tall on 4th down, keeping the score locked at 0.

From there, it was back and forth for both teams. Neither team seemed to want to move down the field. The worst play of the day came early in the 2nd quarter. Standout DB Denzel Ward rattled Wentz, and a ball intended for Sanders in the flat was jumped and taken the other way for 6 points. The rest of the half was uneventful as the Birds offense struggled to find its footing. Some plays showed promise in a drive, but penalties and sacks ended each drive early. The Eagles went into the locker room at the half, needing an adjustment. 

Second Half Struggles

The Birds came out strong with a statement TD from Wentz to Rodgers. This score came one play after a crucial strip-sack from Fletcher Cox, recovered by LB Alex Singleton. Sadly, this would be the last play Eagles fans could celebrate for most of the game. The Eagles very quickly went flat. The offense continued to struggle, ending drive after drive with punts. The defense hung in a little longer, but in the end, fell apart. The game took a turn for the worst when Carson Wentz, backed up in his endzone, took a sack giving the Browns 2 more points.

A blocked field goal for former Eagle Cody Parkey took some of the pain away, as the Eagles marched down the field and took 3 points on their own. However, immediately following the first drive resulting in points, the RB duo exploded, resulting in 7 for the Browns. The Eagles looked defeated, and as they approached the end zone to start the comeback, a lofty Wentz throw was snagged out of the air and picked off for his 2nd INT of the day. After another stop, the Eagles managed a pity touchdown to end the game 22-17. The final score indicated a much closer affair than it should’ve been.

What Went Wrong

It’s hard to say just one thing that made this game unbearable. Poor QB play and even more poor coaching turned a game many thought the Eagles could steal into a game where you watched in horror. After feeding Miles Sanders 14 times in the first half, resulting in 66 yards, the Eagles fed their sophomore star just twice the entire rest of the game. Denzel Ward blanketed Travis Fulgham, but the ball couldn’t stay in his hands when he broke off coverage. Carson Wentz went from an accurate first half with one crucial mistake to a poor player in just a few drives. Fans watched with frustration as their team crumbled before their eyes.

The defense, which stood surprisingly tall against the best RB duo in the NFL, followed the offense and collapsed. They allowed over 100 yards to the Browns rushers. Baker Mayfield torched the defense with his reverse rollouts. Play after play, Eagles secondary players Avonte Maddox and Jalen Mills were burnt on double moves. The entire team played with no drive. It’s becoming more apparent each week there are internal issues that must be addressed. The Eagles prepare for a slaughter Monday night against MVP favorite Russel Wilson and the Ghost of Drafts Past DK Metcalf. Sadly this Eagle team looks like they’ve already entered the offseason. The next few games won’t be very unenjoyable. Buckle up, Eagles fans. It only gets worse from here.