Staff Writer

October 14, 2024

In front of a mostly listless crowd, the Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) came off a bye-week to play the Cleveland Browns (1-5) and win 20-16. Jalen Hurts threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yard toss to DeVonta Smith and a 22-yard touchdown to A.J. Brown, receivers who had returned after missed time with injuries. 

Despite a shoddy execution by Hurts, who failed to consistently connect with his star receivers, the Eagles were luckily able to secure a victory over the Browns, who presented a poor offensive performance. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson finished 16 of 23 passes for 168 yards without scoring an offensive touchdown. Watson was also sacked three times and threw for just 49 yards in the first half.

Cleveland has failed to score 20 points in a game this season, with their only touchdown of the game on a blocked field goal by All-Pro Myles Garrett that  Rodney McLeod Jr. scooped up and returned untouched into the end zone. This play occurred as the Eagles were trying for a 57-yard field goal to expand their lead going into halftime, but it ended up with a 10-all tie game with 14 seconds left. 

“I know the guys are fighting like crazy, and I appreciate that, but we’ve got to find a way to get a win against a good opponent,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “We had our opportunities and did not come through.” 

Meanwhile, Eagles fans voiced their frustrations with head coach Nick Sirianni, booing the team off the field. Angry fans chanted “Fire Nick!” to the coach, whose eligibility has been contested on social media since last season’s late collapse. “We thrive off the crowd when they cheer for us. That’s all I’ll say,” Sirianni said.