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5-0. And it wasn’t the Indians and the Phillies.
The Cleveland Browns defeated the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 5-0 in their dress rehearsal game, improving to 2-1 this preseason. It was definitely an unusual game.
The Browns had a nice drive going in the first half with the running game as RB Carlos Hyde rumbled for 33 yards up the right sideline. A nice run by RB Nick Chubb and then an acrobatic play by TE David Njoku set Cleveland up at the 1-yard line on 1st-and-goal.
.@elguapo with the 33-yard gain!#PHIvsCLE pic.twitter.com/qytQJOiq7e
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 24, 2018
What ensued was offensive coordinator Todd Haley calling four pass plays from the 1 yard line, none of which worked. On the last play, QB Tyrod Taylor landed awkwardly on his left hand as his pass fell incomplete. He had to leave the game, but later returned to finish out the second half (whew).
Tyrod Taylor banged up...left elbow/forearm pic.twitter.com/Ca3wXdy0sk
— Greg Brandt (@devywarehouse) August 24, 2018
The Browns’ defense thrived during the first half, forcing four turnovers and one safety. Here is the safety on QB Nick Foles, which was one of DE Myles Garrett’s two sacks on the evening to give Cleveland a 3-0 lead.
Safety! #PHIvsCLE pic.twitter.com/4Bx83RnO9H
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 24, 2018
The Browns’ first turnover came near the end of the first quarter when rookie DE Genard Avery forced a fumble on Foles with DE Emmanuel Ogbah recovering:
Genard Avery with the sack and Emmanuel Ogbah on the recovery!
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 24, 2018
Our ! #PHIvsCLE pic.twitter.com/Qn1WplLzDC
A 54-yard field goal by K Zane Gonzalez made it a 5-0 game. To start the second quarter, FS Briean Boddy-Calhoun, starting for the injured Damarious Randall, came over to intercept a deep sideline pass by Foles:
.@darthBoCa with the takeaway‼️ pic.twitter.com/ylAH0wACCo
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 24, 2018
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On Philadelphia’s next drive, CB Terrance Mitchell decided to get in on the physical action, punching the ball out from the ballcarrier to give the ball back to the offense again.
This. Defense.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 24, 2018
Make that ✌️ fumble recoveries this half! #PHIvsCLE pic.twitter.com/fG3q6hTi3m
The offense couldn’t capitalize as Philadelphia’s defense played solid too, but LB Jamie Collins ruined the Eagles’ best scoring shot of the first half with this interception near the goal line:
FOUR takeaways this half!
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 24, 2018
Jamie Collins Sr. tallies our second interception of the game #PHIvsCLE pic.twitter.com/EzXGHevuNC
In the second half, both teams kept trading possessions with again, not much action. QB Baker Mayfield had Cleveland driving in the fourth quarter, but nearly threw a pick six on third down before a Browns receiver tripped up the cornerback. Mayfield was evaluated for a concussion after the play, but was OK.
.@2live_AM takes it back the other way.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/ktVymCyJAi
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 24, 2018
The Eagles appeared to have capitalize with a touchdown pass mid-way through the quarter, but the play was called back since the receiver didn’t get both feet down in bounds. Philadelphia’s 33-yard field goal was pulled wide left, keeping it a 5-0 game.
QB Drew Stanton took over for Cleveland but couldn’t muster anything. Neither could Philly. The Eagles later had one final crack at things, and their 4th-and-5 from just beyond midfield was complete for a first down. A sack by LB B.J. Bello forced the Eagles to burn their final timeout with 0:13 to go, and they couldn’t get any closer.
Quick Hitters
- QB Tyrod Taylor: 11-of-16 for 65 yards. 2 rushes, 5 yards.
- QB Baker Mayfield: 8-of-12 for 76 yards, 1 INT. 3 rushes, 10 yards.
- RB Carlos Hyde: 7 carries, 45 yards.
- RB Nick Chubb: 14 carries, 46 yards.
- WR Jarvis Landry: 3 catches, 23 yards (10 targets).
- 7 sacks on defense: 2 for DE Myles Garrett, and 1 each for LB B.J. Bello, DL Daniel Ekuale, LB Genard Avery, DT Caleb Brantley, and DE Chris Smith.