Eagles fans, we can breathe… for now. The Eagles pulled off a win in what many thought would be a “get right” game, but it turned into another nail-biter—a situation Eagles fans have become all too familiar with over the past year. But a win is a win, right? The Eagles are now 3-2, and with the rest of the NFC East losing this weekend, it turned out to be a pretty good weekend for both the fans and players. Let’s dive into my key takeaways from this 20-16 victory over the Browns.

Nick Sirianni is Slowly Losing Me

Let’s start with the negatives before we end on a positive note. I might be one of the last Eagles fans still giving Sirianni the benefit of the doubt. I love his passion, and as I’ve mentioned many times, he feels like one of us out there on the field. But this week, something about him turning to his own fans and talking trash didn’t sit right. Philly is a tough place to coach and play, but all we want is to win—just like the players do. To most fans, it seems like Sirianni might be the problem, and turning on the fanbase is not a good look. I still hope Sirianni works out here, but you can’t help but wonder how the team might look without him.

Whose Offense Is This, Anyway?

In Week 1, the offense looked dynamic. Saquon Barkley’s touchdown came off a well-designed clearout route that allowed him to run a wheel route, creating an easy opening for a score. There was motion, creativity, and flow. But in the last few weeks, it feels like we’re watching last year’s offense with some Kellen Moore plays sprinkled in. You can easily spot the plays that have Moore’s fingerprints on them. If Sirianni is truly calling the shots, I’m not sure how far this team can go. The offense is loaded with talent, but it’s winning more on individual ability than coaching. This needs to change.

Injuries Are Piling Up

Injuries are part of the game, but they always sting. Jordan Mailata went down with a hamstring injury and is likely out for a few weeks. Darius Slay hurt his knee, and Dallas Goedert also tweaked his hamstring. At one point, Isaiah Rodgers went down, and it seemed like he re-injured his broken hand. The severity of Slay and Goedert’s injuries remains unclear, but after coming out of the bye week hoping for a healthier roster, the Eagles are right back to dealing with key injuries.

Special Teams… Not So Special

Last week against the Saints, the Eagles’ special teams unit allowed a punt to be blocked. Luckily, the defense bailed them out, preventing any points from that mistake. This week, Myles Garrett made a great play, blocking a Jake Elliott field goal, and our old friend Rodney McLeod returned it for a touchdown. A unit that used to be a reliable strength is now inconsistent at best. It’ll be interesting to see what special teams coordinator Michael Clay has to say about this in the coming days.

The Pass Rush is Back.. For Now

Now for some positives. Heading into this game, the Eagles had only 6 sacks in 4 games. Against the Browns, they racked up 5 sacks. Yes, Cleveland’s offensive line was banged up, but it was still great to see consistent pressure. Bryce Huff finally made his mark, and I want to give him some attention. While it’s easy to be frustrated with Huff, he’s playing in a new system and essentially out of position as a 3-4 linebacker. This game, they let him play more as a 4-3 defensive end, with his hand in the dirt, and he looked much more explosive. Vic Fangio’s defensive adjustments have been solid so far, and I believe this defense will continue to improve. Don’t be surprised if the Eagles’ defense looks like a different unit by the season’s end.

The Rookies Can Play

Quinyon Mitchell has been outstanding so far. He’s bound to hit a rookie wall at some point, but for now, he’s playing with fire and excellent technique. He’s going to be a key player for this defense both this season and moving forward. Meanwhile, Cooper DeJean took over the nickel spot from Avonte Maddox, and one thing I always disliked about Maddox was his liability in run defense. DeJean, on the other hand, was flying around the field, making plays all game. He should’ve had two sacks but went for the strip instead of just bringing the quarterback down. Still, I love that he’s trying to create turnovers in a defense that doesn’t produce many. I’m excited to dive into the All-22 film to see more of what he did.

A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith Are Elite

We missed them, and Jalen Hurts missed them too. Their presence was undeniable this week. Brown finished with 6 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown, including a 40-yard catch to seal the game. Smith added 3 receptions for 64 yards and a score. They complement each other perfectly. Brown is a strong, deep threat, while Smith’s smooth route-running makes him a reliable target. If the Eagles want to keep winning, keeping these two healthy is crucial.

Jalen Hurts Had a Good Game

Hurts’ turnovers have been a talking point all season, but Sunday felt like a step in the right direction. He started the game 0 for 5, but finished 16 of 25, making some clutch throws to Brown and looking more comfortable as the game progressed. Hopefully, this is the start of a narrative shift for Hurts as he continues to develop.

Other Shout-Outs

Grant Calcaterra filled in well for Goedert, catching 4 passes for 67 yards. Jahan Dotson made a crucial catch along the sidelines during the Eagles’ final drive, which should help boost his confidence. Lastly, Brandon Graham, celebrating his 200th career game, had a fantastic performance, including sniffing out an end-around play for a tackle for loss.