Browns vs. Eagles: Scouting the Philadelphia Eagles with our Q&A with Bleeding Green Nation

We ask about the Eagles’ inconsistencies, their defensive blitzing, and more.

This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns stay on the road as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles. To help preview a few topics from the Eagles’ perspective, we reached out to Brandon Gowton from Bleeding Green Nation and exchanged five questions with him.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Chris: “The Eagles really struggled to close out the 2023 season. They have a 2-2 record coming out of the bye — would you say they have rediscovered themselves so-to-speak?”

Brandon: “They certainly have not rediscovered their 2022 form by any means. The 2024 Eagles much more closely resemble the 2023 Eagles thus far.

Case in point: dating back to last season, the Eagles have gone six straight games now without scoring a point in the first quarter. They constantly have to battle back from slow starts. Nick Sirianni doesn’t appear to have answers and it’s hard to see how he gives his team an edge in other areas. He’s been bad with game management decisions this season.

It’s not all about the head coach, though. Jalen Hurts can’t stop turning the ball over; he has 27 giveaways in his last 22 games played. He leads the NFL in turnover-worthy play percentage as defined by Pro Football Focus. The Eagles’ defense has had one excellent game in four tries. There seems to be a talent issue on that side of the ball.

On the whole, the negative sticks out more than the positive coming off a bad loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that was then followed by the bye week. I don’t think they’re hopeless; one can make cases for optimism. The offense is getting healthy, Saquon Barkley has been awesome, they have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league, etc.

But it’s hard to say this group has earned the benefit of the doubt.”

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Chris: “Philadelphia drafted two cornerbacks with their first two draft picks this year — how have those picks fared so far?”

Brandon: “Quinyon Mitchell has been pretty awesome. Quarterbacks have just a 76.6 passer rating when throwing his away, according to Pro Football Reference. Mitchell ranks 27th out of 79 cornerbacks graded by Pro Football Focus this season. He ranks tied for fifth in passes defensed; league-leader Denzel Ward is one of only four players with more.

Mitchell doesn’t play or act like a rookie. He’s looked pretty fearless out there; he’s not afraid to talk trash to opposing receivers. He plays with confidence and that much has been apparent when he’s come close to multiple pick-sixes. He’s yet to actually catch the ball while jumping a route but it feels like he’s due to complete one of those grabs sooner than later. And possibly as soon as this week against a struggling Deshaun Watson.

I’m feeling very encouraged about Mitchell and his outlook.

As for Cooper DeJean, we haven’t really seen enough to judge him yet. DeJean missed the majority of training camp due to an offseason injury. He’s only been trusted to play eight defensive snaps thus far.

DeJean’s role is reportedly expected to increase coming out of the bye. Eagles veteran nickel cornerback Avonte Maddox has struggled, making way for the rookie to get on the field. There could be some growing pains, especially if DeJean looks like the player he did in the Eagles’ preseason finale where he excelled in run defense but had some issues in coverage. But DeJean could conceivably improve over the course of the season. It’ll also be interesting to see how he fares as the team’s punt returner while Britain Covey is injured. ”

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Chris: “How effective has Philadelphia’s defense been with the blitz?”

Brandon: “Hat tip to the great @ShaneHaffNFL for passing these numbers along:

The Eagles have a 25% blitz rate, which ranks 16th in the NFL. The defense has allowed a 42% success rate when blitzing, which ranks 11th.

And from that 25% blitz rate, almost all of it comes with the Eagles rushing five players. They’ve only rushed six or more on just five passing downs.

Vic Fangio doesn’t have a reputation for being the biggest believer in the blitz. But the Eagles have clearly been used it in their repertoire. Starting linebackers Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean are capable blitzers. Baun is an edge rusher who’s been converted into an off-ball linebacker while Dean is typically at his best playing downhill.”

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Chris: “Tell us about one player who Browns fans may not have heard of, but who could have an impact on this Sunday’s game.”

Brandon: “I was going to go with DeJean since he’s reportedly in line for a bigger role this week, potentially taking over for Maddox as the Eagles’ nickel cornerback. But since you already asked about him, I’ll go with somebody else.

Let’s say … Milton Williams. With the Browns’ offensive line seemingly in disarray, don’t be surprised if No. 93 on the Eagles causes some problems for Cleveland. He can disrupt the run in the backfield (3 TFLs in 4 games, second-most on the Eagles’ roster). Williams is also PFF’s 11th-highest graded interior defender from a pass rushing perspective.

Williams is in a contract year so he figures to be extra motivated to play well this season.”

Chris: “The Browns are early underdogs against the Eagles on Sunday (Browns +8.5 as of this question, per FanDuel Sportsbook). Who would you pick against the spread?”

Brandon: “The Eagles haven’t defeated an opponent by at least nine points in nearly one year (October 22, 2023). And they’re just 3-8 in their last 11 games.

It’s difficult to give this team the benefit of the doubt when it comes to winning a game, let alone making it look easy.

That being said, the Browns are in pretty rough shape. I’ve watched Deshaun Watson play this season and he’s looked pretty abysmal to me. On top of that, Cleveland is incredibly banged up with TWENTY players listed on their injury report. The Eagles, meanwhile, are getting healthier with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson all expected to return.

There’s also a big rest advantage working in Philly’s favor with the Eagles playing at home coming off their bye while the Browns are playing their third straight road game.

On paper, there’s every reason the Eagles should win this game and cover. Does that mean I trust they will do just that? No.

But I’m going to take them anyway.

Eagles win, 30 to 13.”

Thanks again to Brandon for taking the time to answer my questions.