Despite two turnovers, Dillon Gabriel had a firm command of the Browns' second-team offense in his NFL debut. He completed 13 of 18 passes, with one INT, and converted 6 of 8 third downs. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Instant takeaways from Browns 22-13 win over Philadelphia Eagles …
1. That’s more like it: It would be exaggeration to say Dillon Gabriel saved his roster spot with a pleasing NFL preseason debut. That was never in doubt. But he certainly earned the respect of the many critics who excoriated the Browns for taking him in the third round and keeping him ahead of – can you believe it? -- Shedeur Sanders on the early QB depth chart. The rookie left-hander displayed the quick release, pinpoint accuracy and feel for the pocket the Browns saw in him in working the first half of a 22-13 victory over the Eagles that was absolutely dominated by Jim Schwartz’s defense. Gabriel was involved in two turnovers that resulted in Philadelphia touchdowns – a Pick 6 and a fumbled exchange on a handoff – but otherwise had a very efficient first outing. He completed his first four passes on an opening TD drive of 13 plays, and then four of his next five before his INT. The Pick 6 didn’t rattle him. Gabriel came right back with a 10-play drive to set up a field goal. He also responded with a field-goal drive following the fumbled exchange. Gabriel only played two quarters – as opposed to the three Sanders had in Carolina – and accounted for three scoring drives on 13 of 18 passing for 143 yards. He was sacked twice. The Pick 6 lowered Gabriel's passer rating to 72.2. Gabriel had an interesting quote in an interview in the third quarter of the Browns’ TV telecast of the game. He said to field reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala, “There’s entertainers and there’s competitors, and I understand that but my job is to compete. That's what I'm focused on doing.”
2. Those turnovers: The Browns’ turnover-free streak lasted one game. The Eagles scored both touchdowns in the first half off Cleveland giveaways. The first was a Gabriel forced throw for Diontae Johnson that was intercepted and run back 75 yards for a Pick 6 by rookie safety Andrew Mukuba. On the play, it appeared that tight end Blake Whiteheart may have run the wrong route because he was so close to Johnson and brought the safety into the area. The second Philly TD was set up when Gabriel and running back Pierre Strong had a bad handoff exchange. The ball never got in Strong’s gut. The Eagles recovered at the Browns’ 31 and QB4 Kyle McCord came in and took the Eagles in for the touchdown on a 9-yard pass to Ainias Smith.
3. Good, calm start: Gabriel was cool and collected on his first drive. After a sack on second down, he completed four passes in a row, utilizing his quick delivery to keep the chains moving. Three of the completions came on third downs. A 16-yard end-around by receiver Gage Larvadain set up Ahmani Marshall's 4-yard TD.
4. Kicking adventures: Dustin Hopkins was credited with one missed PAT last week (could’ve been two), but you can’t blame the kicker on the Browns’ blown PAT after Marshall’s score. The snap was low and holder Corey Bojorquez tossed the ball to the ground to abort the play. Later in the half, Hopkins was good on a 46-yard field goal. The offense set up a 49-yard field attempt for backup kicker Andre Szmyt at the end of the half. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni froze Szmyt with a timeout, which drew a ‘what the heck’ gesture from Bojorquez. Szmyt nailed the kick, anyway. Szmyt later connected on a 33-yard field goal -- PAT distance.
5. DTR’s rough day: Former Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson got the start for the Eagles and felt the brunt of Jim Schwartz’s backup defensive line. Because of the Mukuba Pick 6, which cost DTR an offensive possession, he was on the field for only two series. After one first down, DTR’s first possession end with a pass batted by linebacker Nathaniel Watson, which running back A.J. Dillon mistakenly caught for a 14-yard loss, and then DTR was hit by tackle Shelby Harris on a third-and-22 incompletion. His second series ended on a 9-yard sack by Isaiah McGuire. DTR left with a 3 of 4 passing day for 8 yards. But, wait… surprisingly he was sent back in for Philadelphia’s second series in the third quarter. The results got worse for DTR. On his first play, DTR was creamed by edge rusher Julian Okwara as he was throwing. The ball popped into the hands of linebacker K.J. Henry, who returned it 45 yards for a Pick 6.
6. Dee-fense!: Schwartz’s deep defensive line had two real good practices against the Eagles, and their impact continued in the game. Schwartz opened with a defensive front of Alex Wright, Sam Kamara, Shelby Harris and Isaiah McGuire. Free safety Ronnie Hickman was the only legit starter to play in the first quarter. The defense held the Eagles’ second and third offensive teams to 38 total yards in the first half. The third unit played the second half and scored a TD on the sack/Pick 6 sequence on DTR on its second possession of the third quarter.
7. Ouch: Backup offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury.
8. Noteworthy: Other individual performances of note: Pierre Strong had a 54-yard run … Jamari Thrash had four catches on four targets for 43 yards … in addition to his pass bat at the line of scrimmage, linebacker Nathaniel Watson was credited with three tackles-for-loss. A Watson INT in the fourth quarter was negated when K.J. Henry jumped offside … Gage Larvadain was the lone punt returner, an indication he is seriously being considered for a 53 roster spot. He returned five for 36 yards, including a long of 16.
9. Pre-game notes: Twenty-eight players were designated “not expected to play” before the game. These included five rookies who did play last week – Shedeur Sanders, Dylan Sampson, Carson Schwesinger, Harold Fannin Jr. and Mason Graham. The Browns provided Gabriel with receivers Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash, Diontae Johnson, Gage Larvadain and Kaden Davis. Tight ends were Blake Whiteheart and Brendan Bates. Pierre Strong was the starting back. The starting O-line included Dawand Jones, who DNP’d in Carolina. The rest of the line was Teven Jenkins, Luke Wypler, Zak Zinter and Jackson Barton.