On Sunday October 13th ,2024, at 1 pm eastern time, the Cleveland Browns traveled to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to play the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns were limping towards this game with a long list of injuries, a 1-4 record, and as an 8.5-point underdog. The Eagles had no players listed on their injury report and was coming off a bye week with a 2-2 record. This game had all the ingredients for a blowout loss by Browns. Similar to what happened last week at Washington against the Commanders. But this game was not a blowout by any measure.

The well rested and healthy Philadelphia Eagles did outplay the Browns by outgaining them in yardage, Eagles 372 yards to the Browns 244. The Eagles had 19 first downs and the Browns had 14 first downs. The Browns did win time of possession with 31:27 to the Eagles 28:33. This allowed the Browns offense to complement their defense. In other words, the defense was not on the field too long, and they kept the Browns in this game.

With under a minute to play in the first half, Browns DE Myles Garrett blocked an Eagles field goal try and Browns safety Rodney McLeod recovered the live ball and returned it for a touchdown. It was the Browns lone touchdown of the game. And that tied the game at halftime 10-10. Unfortunately, once again the offense failed to deliver late in 4th quarter. With under 4 minutes to play the Browns had the ball first and goal on the 8-yard line. But back-to-back false start penalties forced the field goal and that made the score 20-16 in favor of the Eagles.  Philadelphia was able to make the needed first downs to run out the clock and win the game.

The Browns offense and Deshaun Watson did show improvement, but it was not at all satisfactory by NFL standards. In the first 6 weeks of the season the Browns offense has yet to score 20 points, gain 300 yards, and pass for 200 yards. That is abysmal considering the price of the talent this team has on offense. Watson went 16 for 23 for 168 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. His quarterback rating was at 90.5. He was not bad, but he was not great either. Being okay is not going to cut it at $230 million dollars.

It is being reported that next week will bring the return of running back Nick Chubb to the Cleveland Browns starting lineup. This game will be at Cleveland against the Cincinnati Bengals. Nick Chubb’s return should bring an emotional boost to this team and the offense. That’s good news because this offense could use all the help it can get.