Cleveland Browns: 4 takeaways from loss to the Eagles

The Cleveland Browns dropped another season-opening game on Sunday in familiar fashion. Here are four takeaways from the game.

It was a predictable outcome for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles as the Browns dropped their opening game for the 12th consecutive year.

But that doesn’t make it any less disappointing.

The Browns offense didn’t look much improved from 2015, nor did the defense. Throw in some questionable coaching decisions, and it was just like so many other Browns games since 1999.

Here are four quick takeaways from the day.

Turnovers are killers

Despite a poor first quarter that saw the Browns be outgained 91 yards to 13 and not achieve a first down, Cleveland only trailed 10-7 in the second quarter and had a promising drive going with a chance to tie the game or take the lead.

“We have stuff to work on.” – Corey Coleman

But on a second-and-five play from Philadelphia’s 28-yard line, Robert Griffin III’s pass for Corey Coleman was tipped and ultimately intercepted by the Eagles Rodney McLeod. Philadelphia then went on an 11-play, 60-yard drive for field goal to push their lead to six points.

In the third quarter, the Browns cut the lead to 13-10 and once again opened a drive with a chance to tie or take the lead. But on the first play of the drive, center Cameron Erving’s snap sailed over the head of Griffin and out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

The Eagles took the ensuing free kick and put together a nine-play, 73-yard touchdown drive capped off by a Carson Wentz to Nelson Agholor 35-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 12 points.

As has so often been the case with the Browns, they are simply not good enough to overcome mistakes and today was no different.

The explosive offense is currently MIA

Early in the preseason, the Browns had their fans dreaming of a high-flying offense that could score at any moment from any spot on the field.

Well, that offense has been missing now for weeks.

Griffin hit two big passes against the Eagles – a 58-yard completion to Corey Coleman and a 44-yarder to Terrelle Pryor – but his other 10 completions only accounted for 88 yards. At one point Griffin completed two passes on a drive for a total of two years.

And both of those big plays carry asterisks, as Coleman’s catch came while he had three defensive backs surrounding him and Pryor easily got away with offensive pass interference on his catch.

Presumed lead running back Isaiah Crowell did not add much, although he did score Cleveland’s lone touchdown of the day on a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. But before picking up some yards in garbage time, Crowell had only rushed eight times for 12 yards.

On the day, the Browns had just 14 first downs – 10 of which came in the second quarter – were two-of-10 on third down and had just 288 yards of total offense.

For one week, at least, the supposed strength of the team looked like anything but.

It is going to be a long year on defense

It may not been entirely their fault, but the Browns defense did not look any better that what we’ve seen in the past.

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Facing a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start in Carson Wentz, the Browns allowed 23 first downs, 403 yards of total offense, 133 rushing yards and saw Philadelphia control the clock for almost 40 minutes.

The defense – most notably rookie defensive end Carl Nassib, who had a sack and two quarterback hits – was able to put some pressure on Wentz throughout the game, but was never able to deal the big blow or force a turnover.

There best chance at making a difference and keeping the Browns in the game came following the safety. The defense forced the Eagles into fourth-and-four situation on the Browns 40-yard line, but allowed the Eagles to convert the first down. On the next play, Wentz hit Agholor for the 35-yard touchdown.

Wentz finished the day with 278 passing yards, two touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 101.

Just imagine what an experienced quarterback will do when they get their hands on the Browns defense.

The bag of tricks goes up in smoke

Everyone likes a good trick play, especially when it works, as the unexpected is exciting and can help swing the momentum of a close game.

Then there is the fake punt the Browns tried to pull on against the Eagles.

Facing a fourth-and-five on their own 41 in the second quarter and only trailing by seven, Jackson called for a fake punt. The direct snap to Duke Johnson – punter Britton Colquitt was lined up out wide – went nowhere fast as the Eagles drilled Johnson for a six-yard loss.

The Eagles took over and quickly tacked on a field goal to push their lead to 10 points.

If there was one play during the game that Jackson would probably want back, it would likely be the fake punt call. While it’s nice to mix things up a bit, that early in a close game is maybe not the right time.

Next: Browns drop opener to the Eagles

Deep breath time, Browns fans. It was just one game and this is very far from a finished roster. While there are definitely things that can be better, there were at least a few bright spots to hold everyone over until the home opener next Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.