The Browns have self-inflicted wounds all over the place, but so do the Eagles.
This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns take on the Philadelphia Eagles. Below, we analyze a few advantages, disadvantages, or general thoughts about the two teams before getting to our predictions for the game.
Game Analysis
Where Do We Stand?
- Have we ever felt so hopeless as Browns fans? I mean, even when the team was going 0-16 or 1-15, I could find myself playing Devil’s Advocate each week about some things that were improving, and how Cleveland could have some form of advantage. The era of Deshaun Watson has led us so far down the rabbit hole of futility and lack of excitement. I feel it. You feel it. And even though the guys in that locker room can’t say it, you know they are feeling it too.
- After last week’s game, something changed that could lead to the beginning of the end of Watson in Cleveland: the national media finally took their swings at him and how bad he’s been. We’ve known it as fans, but after the Commanders loss, Watson was square in the middle of every national outlet, with his poor play magnified and calls for Jameis Winston being made to lead the offense.
- The Browns aren’t going to make a chance at quarterback...yet. But, when everyone is against him, it’s one of those rare cases where we’re already past the, “You paid him all that money...” phase. Instead, we’re at the, “We don’t give a @#$% that you paid him all that money, get him the hell out of there” phase. I think he has one last shot, and that will be a little bit of leeway with the return of the full offense — meaning Nick Chubb coming back soon, Jack Conklin back this week, and some key AFC North games.
What About the Eagles?
- Heading into each game, it feels like I’ve been saying, “The Browns are facing one of the worst-ranked defenses in the NFL this week.” However, it was also very early in the season, meaning we were playing the law of small sample sizes when it came to averages. Looking back, the Raiders (16th), Giants (10th), Cowboys (14th), and Commanders (13th) all have fair rankings, while the Jaguars (31st) were the only dud. Now, I’m of the opinion that the Browns’ poor offensive play helped contribute to those defenses having better rankings after the fact, but that’s a discussion for another day.
- The Eagles’ defense ranks 27th in the NFL, having played four games. They are giving up 5.00 YPC against the run (28th in the NFL), and are 24th in passing yards allowed. They are 29th in sacks, getting a sack on 4.41% of passing attempts.
- If there is one team in the NFL that has legitimately struggled to such an extreme level of ineptitude besides the Browns, though, it has been for the Philadelphia...
Dawgs By Nature
