It wouldn't be a Philadelphia Eagles football game if it weren't an unnecessarily stressful watch for Philly fans. Having a four-point win against one of the worst teams in the league isn't super convincing, but weirdly enough, this was one of the cleanest games Philly has played all year. It shouldn't have been a four-point game, but a Myles Garrett blocked FG turned special teams TD for Cleveland at the end of the first half tied the game at 10-10. The Browns offense had zero touchdowns in the game. It was Jalen Hurts' first turnover-free game of the season and the first game of the season that CJ Gardner Johnson did not give up a touchdown! Eagles fans still aren't happy with Nick Sirianni and let him hear it during the game, booing and even erupting in "fire Sirianni" chants; after the win, Sirianni was chirping at his own home crowd.
The Offense Still Isn't Where it Needs to Be
Th Eagles haven't scored more than 22 points since Week 1 when they put up 34. This week, the Eagles failed to score in the first quarter, having a combined 10 plays for 21 yards in their first two drives. After that, however, the offense found a groove and only punted once. Philly scored on both of their second-quarter drives and got close enough to let Jake Elliot attempt a 57-yard FG before half, which, as previously mentioned, was blocked and returned for a TD by former Eagles safety Rodney McLeod Jr. Jalen Hurts started the game with five straight incompletions, but quickly turned it around completing 80% of his passes for 264 yards and two TDs the rest of the game, and didn't turn the ball over. The offense was still able to operate despite Saquon Barkley never really getting it going, rushing for just 47 yards on 18 attempts. That shouldn't be anything to worry about; he can't carry the load weekly like he used to in New York.
All that to say, it seems Jalen Hurts wasn't lying about how efficient the bye week was. Despite a low score and a tight win against a 1-4 team, there was much to be happy about offensively this week. Now, to point out the negatives, Philadelphia is the ONLY team in the league to not score a single point in the first quarter this season. It's also tough to believe Kellen Moore is running this offense. One of the most significant changes Moore was supposed to bring to Philly was pre-snap motion, and Philly ranks 19th in that category. If you compare Keenan Allen's route tree from 2023 to AJ Brown's this year, there's no creativity in AJ's routes the way there was for Allen. It's all go routes with some slants sprinkled in. AJ is one of the best receivers in the league after the catch, and Philly isn't giving him opportunities to do so.
All the reoccurring issues this year have been present almost throughout Sirianni's career in Philly. In 2022, Jalen Hurts passed well above the league average when targeting receivers over the middle of the field, but for some reason last season and so far this season, there have been almost no play calls over the middle. It doesn't make sense how a team can know the strengths of its players and completely ignore them.
On paper, this should be one of the top offenses in the league. With a franchise QB, arguably the best receiver duo in the league, a top-five running back, a tight end of Dallas Goedert's caliber, and one of the best O-lines in football with depth at each position, there is no reason the Eagles should rank 18th in points per game with 21. If you remove the only game in which Philly's offense performed how it should in Week 1, they average 17 points per game, which would be the fifth worst in the league.
Consistency, Consistency, Consistency
In Week 1, the Eagles gave up 29 points and had no answer for Green Bay's run defense, but they held Jordan Love to a 50% completion percentage and picked him off. In Week 2, they allowed Atlanta to run for 152 yards while allowing Kirk to go 20/29 for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Week 3 Philly faced statistically the second-best offense through two weeks in NFL history and shut them down, holding Kamara and the Saints run game to 3.1 yards per carry while only giving up 142 passing yards and one TD to one INT. After that, Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers had their way with Philly's defense, putting up 445 total yards and 33 points, 24 of which came in the first half. Through four weeks, the Birds only had six sacks.
This week, Philly's defense reappeared, allowing just 244 total yards and no offensive touchdowns despite Cleveland having the football for 31 minutes. The pass rush finally arrived, totaling five sacks with seven players accounting for at least half a sack, including Bryce Huff, who had almost no impact all season. All that to say, that SHOULD happen against such a low-caliber offense. Cleveland averages 16 ppg and has given up the most sacks in the league, but this game could get the defense going for the rest of the season. Quinyon Mitchell has been the only consistent part of Philly's defense. Hopefully, this game established the defense's identity, and they can remain more consistent moving forward.
More Injuries
This was the first week since Week 1, and the offense was completely healthy, but that didn't last long. On the game's first drive, Dallas Goedert left the game with a hamstring injury after being targeted for an incomplete pass. We don't know the severity of his injury yet. Luckily, TE2 Grant Calcaterra played well in his place, with four receptions for a career-high 67 yards. In the fourth quarter, Jordan Mailata had to be carted off the field with a hamstring injury and was seen walking in crutches after the game. Ari Meirov says he should miss "a couple weeks." He'll be replaced by Fred Johnson, who stepped in for Lane Johnson last week.
Darius Slay also left the game in the second half with a knee injury, which is considered day-to-day. If he misses any time, he'll likely be replaced by Kelee Ringo or Isaiah Rodgers Sr.
Final Score: Eagles 20, Browns 16
Dixon's Three Stars (yes, I'm breaking the rules this week)
1st Star- AJ Brown (6 Receptions, 116 Yards, 1 TD, Game-icing 40-yard reception)
T-2nd Star- Cooper DeJean/Quinyon Mitchell (Combined 2 receptions allowed on 7 targets, 24 yards allowed, 56.2 Passer Rating Allowed, 9 Tackles, 2 QB Pressures, 0.5 Sacks)
3rd Star- Jalen Hurts (264 Passing Yards, 33 Rushing Yards, 2 Touchdowns, 0 Turnovers)
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