Sport

Eagles Position Grades: A Hard-Fought Victory Against the Browns

2024-10-14

Author: Lok

In a game that was anything but straightforward, the Philadelphia Eagles narrowly defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-16 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles faced moments of frustration, including boos from the home crowd as they limped into halftime. However, they managed to regroup and secure a crucial win over a struggling Browns team.

Quarterback

**Jalen Hurts:** 16/25, 264 yards, 2 TDs, 126.1 passer rating; 14 attempts, 33 rushing yards. After a shaky start, Hurts demonstrated resilience and composure, making significant plays to turn the tide in his team's favor. It was the first time this season that Hurts did not commit any turnovers, a much-needed boost for the offense. With key players like DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown returning from injury, Hurts connected with both for touchdowns, showcasing the Eagles' formidable aerial attack. **Grade: B+**

Running Back

**Saquon Barkley:** 18 carries, 47 yards. Despite being a standout performer earlier in the season, Barkley struggled to find consistency against the Browns. His performance was marred by critical mistakes, including failing to convert a key third down and a missed block that led to a sack. Kenny Gainwell provided some spark with a 19-yard rush, but overall, the running game didn't shine. **Grade: C+**

Receiver

**A.J. Brown:** 6 receptions, 116 yards, 1 TD. With both Brown and Smith active, the Eagles' receiving corps finally looked dangerous. Brown's 22-yard touchdown reception displayed his ability to perform under pressure, while his pivotal 40-yard catch in the fourth quarter solidified the victory. Smith also had a major impact with a 45-yard touchdown catch. **Grade: A**

Tight End

**Grant Calcaterra:** 4 receptions, 67 yards. With Dallas Goedert sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Calcaterra stepped up impressively, exceeding his cumulative yardage from last season in just one game. His contribution included significant catches, though Jack Stoll also played a crucial role in aiding the offense without recording any catches himself. **Grade: B+**

Offensive Line

The offensive line faced challenges in the run game but provided strong protection for Jalen Hurts, allowing him to be sacked just once. However, the run block efficiency was below expectations, especially with Jordan Mailata exiting the game due to a hamstring injury, raising concerns about depth moving forward. **Grade: B-**

Defensive Line

**Jalen Carter:** 1 sack, 3 QB hits, 1 tackle for loss. The Eagles' defensive line dominated Deshaun Watson, resulting in multiple sacks throughout the game. With contributions from players like Graham and Sweat, the front line proved effective against the Browns' offense, which has struggled all season. They collectively collected five sacks, showcasing their prowess. **Grade: A**

Linebacker

**Nakobe Dean:** 12 tackles (7 solo). Dean showcased a strong performance, leading the team in tackles, although he did have a few missed opportunities. His partner, Zack Baun, also recorded significant tackles but was penalized for a late hit. An intriguing strategic decision saw Baun remain on the field during dime packages instead of Dean, raising questions about defensive alignments. **Grade: A-**

Secondary

**C.J. Gardner-Johnson:** 6 tackles, 2 pass breakups. The Eagles made a pivotal switch at nickel cornerback that paid dividends, with Cooper DeJean stepping up effectively in place of Avonte Maddox. Despite some missed interception opportunities, the secondary held strong even after Darius Slay left with a knee injury, as newcomers Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo filled in admirably. **Grade: A-**

Special Teams

**Cooper DeJean:** 4 punt returns, 41 yards. The special teams struggled with a significant blocked field goal but saw some promise in DeJean as a punt returner. He showcased his potential during returns, even as the team dealt with a critical error on the blocked field goal play that led to a touchdown for the Browns. **Grade: C**

Coaching

**Record: 3-2**. The coaching staff faced scrutiny once again as the Eagles continued to struggle offensively in the opening quarter, failing to score early in the game and going three-and-out on their first drive. Kellen Moore's play-calling showed some improvement with the return of key players, while Vic Fangio's defensive strategy contained the Browns effectively. However, Nick Sirianni's sideline demeanor raised eyebrows, especially after a confrontation with players and fans during the game. His future conduct could become a talking point among the Eagles' management. **Grade: C**

Overall, while the victory over the Browns is a positive sign, the Eagles must address several issues, particularly their offensive execution and player health, as they head deeper into the season.