Tonight was a test for many reasons. Not only were the
Eagles taking on their Week 1 opponents, but for quarterback Nick Foles, this
was a test to keep himself in the backup position.
Earning the start after a great game against New England,
things didn’t start well, but by the time he was done in this game, he
continued to solidify his role as perhaps the future backup quarterback to
Michael Vick.
The Browns made the first drive of the game look easy. They
drove into the redzone with the help of two plays for more than 20 yards. But
Derek Landri and Trent Cole teamed up to help force and recover a fumble.
That gave Foles his first chance. He completed his first
pass to LeSean McCoy for 11 yards. His next pass was deep downfield, intended
for DeSean Jackson, and intercepted by Joe Haden.
The Eagles defense would force another turnover two drives
later as Daryll Tapp recovered the loose ball inside the Browns’ 15. Three
plays later, Foles found Brent Celek for a seven-yard touchdown pass to give
the Eagles the lead.
After another Browns’ three-and-out, the Eagles blocked a
punt with Keenan Clayton getting a hand on the ball and Curtis Marsh recovering
to put the ball at the Browns’ three-yard line.
Two plays later, Foles connected on a two-yard pass to Dion
Lewis for a touchdown.
The Eagles and Browns exchanged field goals in the second
quarter to send the game to halftime with a 17-3 lead.
Trent Edwards led a scoring drive in the third, complete
with a four-yard touchdown pass to Brett Brackett.
The Browns did add a touchdown in the fourth and Alex Henery
converted his second field goal of the game, but that was all the scoring in
the quarter as the Eagles rolled past the Browns with a 27-10 win.
The Eagles improved to 3-0 in the preseason with good
passing offense, led by their backup quarterbacks, and a great defense.
Nick Foles was the star of the show offensively; completing
12 of 19 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns while throwing one
interception. Trent Edwards completed 14 of 17 passes for 127 yards and a
touchdown.
Nine receivers caught passes of at least 10 yards as the
Eagles really established their passing game.
The defense did take several really bad penalties, including
three offsides penalties. But they forced three turnovers, two fumbles and one
interception. The defensive line looks incredible. The fumble by Landri was the
result of a sack where he burst through the offensive line with very little
effort.
One thing you have to consider is that the Browns played a
terrible game. What is encouraging is that the Eagles second-string players
were making excellent plays against the Browns’ likely starters. That says a
lot about the depth of the Eagles.
The Eagles clearly have a viable backup quarterback. They
probably even have a decent third-string option in Trent Edwards. With so many
questions at quarterback after locking up a star receiver, running back and
formidable options on the field at wide receiver and tight end, the Eagles
offense should be in good position.
Meanwhile, on defense, the Eagles defensive line needs no
work. Those linemen are unbelievable in providing pressure something that will
lead to turnovers and short offensive drives for opponents. While the
linebackers and defensive backs need to work on some things, the Eagles are starting
to look like the team many hoped they would be last season and have been in
seasons past.
All that’s left now is an essentially meaningless preseason
game against the New York Jets. Then it’s on to the games that count, starting
with the first one right back in Cleveland.
Kevin Durso is a contibutor for Eagledelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
