Browns scouting report: Philadelphia Eagles

Editor’s note: Tony Grossi is an analyst of the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984. 

Browns v. Philadelphia Eagles 

Sunday, 1 p.m., in Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA 

Record: 2-2. 

Last game: Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 33-16, September 29, at Tampa, FL. 

Coach: Nick Sirianni, 36-19, fourth year. 

Series record: Browns lead, 32-17-1. 

Last meeting: Browns won, 22-17, November 22, 2020, in Cleveland. 

League rankings: Offense is eighth overall (fifth rushing, 17th passing), defense is 27th overall (21st rushing, 24th passing) and turnover differential is minus- 

Things to watch 

1. While most prognosticators handed the NFC East to the Eagles in season previews, Philadelphia finds itself 1 ½ games behind surging Washington in the division. After losing 5 of its last 6 games last year, and then a playoff game at home to Tampa Bay, the Eagles haven’t performed up to the level of what is considered a loaded roster. After an early bye week, however, they expect to get back three important cogs in their offense from injuries – receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and right tackle Lane Johnson.  

2. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been an enigma since leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl two years ago and then outplaying Patrick Mahomes in the championship game loss. He led all players in individual turnovers last season and is back on that pace in the early going this year with 4 interceptions and 3 fumbles. Hurts has added responsibility this season in making the protection calls after center Jason Kelce retired. And he hasn’t gotten comfortable yet with the offense installed by new coordinator Kellen Moore. The loss of Brown (for 3 games) and Smith (2 games) might have something to do with that.  

3. Defensively in the first season under new coordinator Vic Fangio, the Eagles are suffering from lack of takeaways and sloppy tackling (sound familiar?). By their own count, they missed 15 tackles in their last game against the Buccaneers.  

4. Like the Browns, the Eagles’ defense has been fueled by its defensive front since Jim Schwartz was their coordinator in their 2017 Super Bowl title season. But despite recent high draft picks devoted to the line, the Eagles so far have just 6 sacks in 4 games. Bryce Huff, a high-priced free agent, has been non-existent as an edge rusher. Also, the influx of defensive linemen drafted from Georgia – tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, and linebackers Nolan Smith and Nakobe Dean – have generally played below expectations. Hence, their best pass rusher has been linebacker Zack Baun with 2 sacks. 

Did you know ...? 

1. Running back Saquon Barkley, who bolted the division-rival Giants in free agency, is the first Eagles player to rush for 425+ yards and 4 touchdowns in the first four games of a season. Barkley is averaging 6.0 yards a rush and 109 yards per game. 

2. The Eagles are the only team in the league that hasn’t scored a point in the first quarter. 

3. Although Jason Kelce is retired, replacement center Cam Jurgens has picked up Philly’s famed “Tush Push” in short-yardage situations. They’ve been virtually unstoppable converting third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 since the first game.  

4. Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles’ first-round draft pick from Toledo, has started every game. He leads all rookies and is tied for 5th overall with 6 PBUs (pass breakups) through 4 games. 

5. Yes, Nick Sirianni is on the hot seat as Eagles coach. Owner Jeff Lurie is not one to make a change during a season. But if the Eagles fall short of the playoffs, Sirianni could be out after this season. And yes, Bill Belichick’s name is being proferred as a replacement on Philly sports talk radio. 

Small word: Safeties coach Joe Kasper is from Mentor and was a player personnel assistant for the Browns in 2013-14 ... offensive lineman Darian Kinnard is from Cleveland ... wide receiver Parris Campbell is from Akron.