8/21 Game Recap: Eagles beat Browns 21-20 (preseason)

“These guys are fighting for their Football lives” that is what Cleavland Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski had to say when he was asked if he would play his starters in today’s preseason game vs the Eagles. But I’ll tell you when you looked on the field today on both sides of the field, you could see some guys that knew that their careers depended on this game. Today you saw some guys that maybe haven’t performed the best to this point or maybe were on the bubble before this afternoon, that now may be being looked at a little differently by Eagles brass. I know for many fans, it doesn’t intrigue them to see the Birds trotting out the likes of Deon Cain, DeAndre Torrey, and Kary Vincent but when you really delve in and take a look, you will see some good hardnose Football from guys who want “IT”.

The first drive of the game was a welcome sight for the Eagles, as Boston Scott would make his first appearance of the preseason. Scott would dominate the drive getting the majority of the touches, and after kicking it off with a 20-yard run he would shove through defenders for a 1-yard touchdown run to cap it all off. It was Kenny Gainwell’s turn next as he would take most of the touches through the 1st and 2nd quarters, he would eventually run it in from 3 yards out to put the Birds up 14-7. Before the great showing out of the Eagles’ backs to start the game, there may have been a glimmer of doubt in the air about what could happen with the Eagles’ backfield to start the season. With Miles Sanders already banged up yet again, Boston Scott seeing limited time due to a concussion, and Kenny Gainwell who had reportedly been struggling mightily early in camp. Seeing both Scott and Gainwell out there making plays was great for the Eagles as Miles Sanders return remains a question mark while Week 1 rapidly approaches. It was at this point in the game where we realized how raw the Eagles’ 2nd, 3rd, and 4th team defense is, more specifically the defensive backfield. The Browns were seemingly able to march down the field with ease at multiple points in the game, as Josh Dobbs, and Josh Rosen were finding open receivers and hitting them while Eagles defenders allowed for unnecessary YAC on multiple occasions. Open field tackling remains a problem for Eagles DBs, all around this is the second straight week with some questionable play from the 2nd and 3rd team defense. Hopefully, we see some changes in Miami next week. Just because the Defense as a whole didn’t perform well doesn’t mean there was not a few bright spots. Andre Chachere made a few big plays today laying a huge hit on Josh Dobbs as he attempted to run in for a touchdown. Considering the Eagles’ situation at safety, Chachere is doing a good job at potentially landing himself on the roster when cuts come around. Heading into the second half leading just 14-13 the Browns would march downfield and score with relative ease. It would be the Eagles offenses turn next to deliver a big play, and deliver a big play they would. Reid Sinnett would launch a ball deep downfield for a streaking Devon Allen, hitting him in stride for a 55-yard masterclass of a touchdown. Allen; a former Olympic hurdler was brought in at the beginning of camp and has struggled to this point, but after his highlight reel catch today, the Eagles may have to think twice before pulling the trigger on dropping the former Oregon man. Carson Strong would come in at the end of the 4th and would not impress very much in his first drive of the preseason going 3 and out with -2 net yardage, it’s becoming more and more clear Reid Sinnett will be the 3rd guy in the QB room come September 11th.

At the end of the day, the NFL is a prove-it league and the preseason is a prove time for a lot of young players. Whether they proved something one way or the other, we saw a lot from these guys out on the field today. The Eagles will move on to the next round of cuts this Tuesday before they head to Miami for yet another round of joint practices. Speaking of Miami, the Eagles game will be in South Beach next Sunday afternoon at 1:00 to take on the Miami Dolphins in their final preseason affair. But for now good morning, good afternoon, and good night, and of course Go Birds!