How the Browns Beat the Eagles
The Cleveland Browns host the NFC East leading Philadelphia Eagles, who are currently slated to host a home playoff game while the Browns try to get the seventh win of their season, which would eclipse their win total for 2019 and further their argument to make the postseason.
It's another game where the weather is likely to play a big role. The Browns will have to deal with that for the third game in a row as well as the opponent.
When the Browns have the ball.
The best aspect of the Eagles defense is the defensive line. Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox are their two best, but they just have a seemingly endless supply of players that can impact the quarterback.
Graham in particular stands out as the Browns hope they will have Jack Conklin available for the game. It's the difference between Conklin and Kendall Lamm. Graham has been a tremendous pass rusher this season and like Myles Garrett, he will attempt to separate the quarterback from the ball.
If Conklin is available, Graham could be lined up across from Jedrick Wills quite a bit in this matchup, trying to take advantage of the rookie.
Between the forecast and the strength of the Browns running game, the Eagles have said they are going to need everyone of their defenders involved to try to stop the running game. If successful, it puts the Browns in obvious passing situations which favor their pass rushers.
Part of the reason they are saying that is the Eagles don't have individuals that excel defending the run. They largely operate on numbers and their defensive line relies on their rotation, which features an almost never ending supply of productive players.
Outside of the fact the Browns need to take care of details when running ball, they have a notable advantage in this aspect of the game. Zone concepts may be ideal in this situation, simply because it allows particularly Chubb to find holes and exploit them.
The wide trap allows Chubb to utilize his vision as well, but the zone game really seems ideal for what the Eagles want to do defensively. And in the event the Eagles want to load up the box, it creates the potential for runs like the one that ended the game against the Houston Texans, because after getting through the initial front, there's little behind it.
Passing, the first thing that stands out is utilizing the screen game. The best way to do that may be to have both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt on the field, since fullback Andy Janovich will unavailable for this game. That could come in the form of faking to Chubb and going to Hunt or utilizing a double screen. The Browns have the linemen to do it and it will force the defense to choose who they want to stop. They also have tight end screens to get the ball to Austin Hooper.
The quick passing game also helps to limit their pass rush and limits the impact of the weather. If they find success, they may be able to become more aggressive and utilize a double move to attack down the field and try to create instant offense.
They can put wide receivers out wide, isolating their corners who haven't played particularly well or just send all of their tight ends out there and simply overpower them.
The Eagles don't have have much size in their secondary. Every one of their defensive backs is built like a corner and all of their linebackers struggle in coverage. The Browns are overdue to be able to be able to use play-action and find one of their tight ends down the seam. If for no other reason, it may force the defense to back off a little bit, creating more space in the running game.
The biggest key for the Browns is to simply protect the ball. The Eagles haven't won a game in which their defense hasn't caused at least two turnovers.
When the Eagles have the ball.
Between the weather and the effectiveness of Miles Sanders, the Browns are likely to play closer to the line of scrimmage with Ronnie Harrison in the box and try to shut down the running game.
That would be prudent in great weather, because Carson Wentz has become is a slot machine. Every time he gets hit, there is a pretty good chance chance he will fumble the ball.
Wentz has fumbled five times this season and 36 times in his career. He's the most sacked quarterback in the league this year. It's the dream quarterback for Myles Garrett to match up against.
Wentz has effective pass protecting tackles, but the interior is weak, largely as a result of how poor their guards are due to injuries. This has been a huge problem for Wentz as he does not react well then the pocket collapses in front of him. And when he tries to escape, particularly Garrett can run him down as he he did with Deshaun Watson.
In terms of their weapons, the Eagles have found a pretty good one in Travis Fulgham. 6'3" 215 pounds, he's pretty well suited to play against the Browns defense and potentially succeed in poor weather. The Browns don't have a great answer to deal with his size.
They match up pretty well with Jalen Raegor and Greg Ward, but they will have to account for Dallas Goedert and Richard Rodgers. Harrison and Malcolm Smith may get the lion's share of that, but the Browns continue to put Mack Wilson on the field for some reason.
In terms of strategy, Wentz has not reacted well to the blitz. He's been battered enough this season where he is dropping his eyes to locate the rush and he's missing open targets down the field.
The Browns should be able to mix up their looks and put extra pressure on Wentz with the goal of getting him to give up the ball. In addition to fumbles, Wentz has 12 interceptions on the season, which is the most in the league.
The Browns must stop the run, but everything after that is simply about putting pressure on Wentz and creating situations where he might be inclined to turnover the ball. This could be a game where the Browns not only turn the game on a turnover, but they might be generate points on that side of the ball.
Special Teams
Cody Parkey has been great, making the only field goal in the game against the Texans and hitting on his extra point. His availability will be key this week and though he's expected to be available, it's something to watch.
Unfortunately, the warning signs with Donovan Peoples-Jones were there and he made a terrible play against the Texans, which the Browns in an awful position at the end of the game.
For the Eagles, arguably their best special teams player is Rudy Ford and he may not be able to play as he deals with a hamstring injury.
Jake Elliott has struggled making field goals this season, so if Parkey can play, that would seem to be an advantage for the Browns.
The Eagles return game is nothing special, particularly their punt return unit. Boston Scott is a decent kickoff returner.
