Cleveland vs. Philadelphia (PHI -9.5, 42.5)
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Cleveland vs. Philadelphia | Sunday, October 13, 2024
The Philadelphia Eagles sit at 2-2 and are looking to soar back into contention after a much-needed bye week, and they've finally got their health back on track. They're coming in hot, with key players like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson expected to suit up for Sunday's game.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns, who sit at a measly 1-4, are limping into this matchup, trying to halt a surprising three-game slide. Desperation is the name of the game, and Cleveland's struggles are raising eyebrows—especially given that their $230 million quarterback's performance is under such scrutiny.
Deshaun Watson's performances this season have been nothing short of catastrophic. The Cleveland Browns are struggling offensively, ranking as one of the worst teams in the NFL, and Watson's statistics reflect that. He holds a league-low 21.0 total QBR and has a troubling 20.7% off-target rate, ranking third worst among starting quarterbacks. The Browns have failed to surpass 300 total yards in any game, and Watson has been sacked a league-high 26 times, averaging 2.95 seconds before throwing—sixth longest in the league. His 4.8 yards per attempt is the worst among quarterbacks with at least 175 passes in their first five games.
Watson and the Browns aren't the only ones entering Week Six with something to prove. The Eagles are feeling the heat as well after an embarrassing 33-16 loss to the Buccaneers in Week 4. This led to chatter about Jalen Hurts' alarming turnover streak and whispers of head coach Nick Sirianni's job security. It's like a soap opera over there, and the last thing Sirianni needs is a loss against a struggling Browns team.
The Eagles will also need to step it up if they want to continue winning games, especially in their secondary. Opposing quarterbacks have achieved a passer rating of 121.5 when targeting Eagles cornerback Darius Slay this season, placing him 67th out of 74 corners targeted at least eight times. While it's early in the season, a 121.5 rating is concerning. From 2021 to 2023, Slay recorded a much stronger 79.4 passer rating against him, ranking 10th in the league. Additionally, he has managed only two interceptions in his last 31 games, making him the first Eagles cornerback with two or fewer picks over a span of 31 starts since Mark McMillian in the early '90s. This is not ideal for one of the team's key defensive players.
For the Browns, the pressure is mounting on head coach Kevin Stefanski. A defeat in Philly could have him looking for a new job faster than you can say "trade rumors." Speaking of trade rumors, keep an eye on Amari Cooper; if the Browns continue to flounder, he might be out of town.
Both teams are eager to turn things around. The Eagles have had two weeks to prepare, and they're itching to remind everyone why they were the NFC champions just two seasons ago. They'll be tough to beat if they can cut down on turnovers and establish a rhythm.
For the Browns, it's all about finding some offensive consistency. If Watson can stop throwing passes to the other team and start connecting with his receivers, they might make a game of it.
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