Dawgs By Nature
Jalen Hurts having Saquon Barkley could make things tough for the Browns defense
I understand that the vibes are low around the Cleveland Browns, but the team has a game to play this Sunday. The season isn’t technically over (the team isn’t eliminated from playoff contention) but it’s trending that way. Cleveland will try to salvage their road trip as they travel to the city of Brotherly Love to take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
The next four games on the Browns schedule either give them a chance to turn things around or impact their strength of schedule for NFL draft tiebreaker purposes.
The Eagles are coming off a bye and sit with a record of 2-2 and could get some reinforcements this week. Going into the season, many believe that the Eagles were a Super Bowl contender considering how the team was already a playoff contender. One week, the team looks good then the following week they look disjointed. Philadelphia looks inconsistent at times and would often make things more difficult when they don’t have to be. We can make the case that the team is underachieving despite the talent the team possesses.
Offensively, Philadelphia has a top 5 talented offensive roster. The issue? Similar to the Browns (although not as extreme), the Eagles don’t have an identity.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been a top-10 quarterback in the league, but he’s had his issues. Turnovers are a main concern but it’s fair to say that Hurts has turned into a liability on offense. Running back Saquon Barkley is the engine that makes the offense goes and the team will get a boost in the passing game when wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith come back from injuries. Tight end Dallas Goedert is also a weapon in the passing game and their offensive line has been solid despite some injuries along the front. Talented unit but inconsistent and lacks an identity.
Defensively, the unit looks improved on paper but it’s not playing to their standard. The defensive line has some star power, defensive tackle Jalen Carter and defensive end Brandon Graham come to mind but their key free agent signing Bryce Huff has been a disappointment. The linebacker room has been up and down, but linebacker Zach Baun has been a surprise. As far as the secondary goes, it's a mixed bag but it’s competent. Cornerback Darius Slay has been fine but rookie Quinyon Mitchell is the one that stands out.
Here are the three Eagles to watch for changing the game against the Browns:
If there is one quarterback that has had his fair share of struggles this season, it’s Jalen Hurts. Make no mistake, Hurts is a top 15 quarterback in this league but this season he’s been up and down. Injuries do play a part in his play, with both Brown and Smith being out at one point during the season but Hurts has turned the ball over in every single game that...
