Both the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns missed the playoffs last season. However, each are eyeing the top of the NFL standings 2022.
After a pair of joint practice sessions in Cleveland, the two teams meet in their second preseason games of 2022 at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium ahead of the regular season beginning in three weeks.
Eagles vs. Browns Matchup Preview
Teams’ Last Encounter
These two NFL teams haven’t met since 2020 when the Browns won 22-17 at home and covered a 2.5-point spread and the under 45.5 hitting.
Of course, those stakes were a little different, with starters playing throughout that November contest.
Things should be a little more status quo for the Eagles, who trotted out Hurts in their first preseason game.
He was six for six for 80 yards, and a touchdown pass before backups Gardner Minshew II and Reid Sinnett carried them to the finish line of a 24-21 loss to the New York Jets.
Expect Hurts and the starters to go a little deeper as second-year coach Nick Sirianni looks to instill his playbook with some key new pieces.
Deshaun Watson Suspension
The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, had a bombshell dropped on Thursday with the ruling of Deshaun Watson being suspended for 11 regular season games and fined $5 million for the sexual misconduct allegations filed against him by 25 women.
He will not play in the rest of the preseason after starting last week in Jacksonville and going 1 for 5 for seven yards. A team with lofty NFL predictions with Watson now has to adjust.
Guardians’ Strong Skills and Great Defense
Fortunately for Cleveland, though, they have some strong skill positions and a great defense to help weather the storm and try to keep pace in what should be a competitive AFC North.
Jacoby Brissett figures to be the starter at QB. He did not play last week. Instead, it was Josh Dobbs (10 of 13, 108 yards, one TD) battling against Josh Rosen (6 for 7, 56 yards) in a 24-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
That two figure to be Brissett’s backup unless the Browns go sign someone else. Philadelphia’s defense will provide a great test.
Eagles vs. Browns Odds Breakdown
NFL odds show the Eagles are favored by three points with an over/under of 35.5. Regardless of which side you bet against the spread or on the over/under, it’s -110 odds.
The moneyline is rather tight, still with the Eagles as favorites at -150 as opposed to the Browns at +130.
Eagles vs. Browns Betting Preview
Eagles Analysis
New Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was one of the few who didn’t suit up in that first preseason game. Zach Pascal caught a pair of his four targets for 41 yards in his Eagles debut.
They join a wide receiver room that drafted Jalen Reagor a year ago and Devonta Smith most recently to beef up their options for Hurts.
Running back, Miles Sanders played sparingly in the first preseason game with two catches for 20 yards, giving way to likely backup Jason Huntley, who rushed for 48 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Eagle’s Defense
Despite the loss, the Eagles’ defense held the Jets to 4.9 yards per play, which is slightly above the 5.1 league average during the preseason.
They were a particularly strong defense against the pass, holding the Jets to 5.4 yards per attempt, better than the 6.0 average, and a 78.4 QB rating.
NFL picks against the spread should favor the Eagles throughout this season. They’ve done a great job of beefing up their offense and still have a solid defense. They were, however, 0-1-0 against the spread and 1-0-0 on over/unders so far in the preseason.
Browns Analysis
It wasn’t until they were down 13-0 that the Browns ripped off 24 unanswered points beginning with a Jerome Ford three-yard touchdown run at 8:58 the second quarter. His 14-yard touchdown pass from Dobbs at 4:48 third quarter was the final score.
Ford ran for 57 yards on ten carries and may earn the third running back slot behind Nick Chubb and D’Ernest Johnson, of course, assuming Kareem Hunt holds out until he is traded. Ford also was the leading receiver, catching four of his five targets for 45 yards.
Returning tight end David Njoku caught the seven-yard pass from Watson before the starters were pulled. Otherwise, newcomer Amari Cooper was not targeted, and he and Chubb figure to make their preseason debuts on Sunday.
Browns’ Defense
The Browns’ defense had a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown by Martin Emerson Jr. Isaiah Thomas had a pair of sacks as the defense tallied five total.
They only allowed 77 rushing yards, an average of 3.2 per attempt, and a 55.2 QB rating in a dominant showing. Cleveland covered its first game against the spread and was 1-0-0 against the over/under.
Eagles vs. Browns Pick and Prediction
Browns vs. Eagles Score predictions are hard to come by with little public data available and not a full list of NFL injuries yet. Something to watch for the Browns is their starting and backup centers.
They lost starter Nick Harris to a season-ending knee injury, and backup Dawson Deaton is also on the Injured Reserve with a knee injury.
Ethan Pocic, a second-round pick out of LSU in 2017, is listed as the starter, with rookie Brock Hoffman, out of Virginia Tech, the only insurance behind them.
Finding that rhythm, let alone game rhythm, alongside Brissett is a key to watch. There are great pass catchers on the Browns with Cooper and what rookie David Bell has shown, but the timing must be on time.
Who to Bet On?
Both teams have strong defenses, but the Philadelphia Eagles probably have better depth overall, especially at quarterback and wide receiver, so that is who we will go with.
Final Score Prediction: Eagles 27, Browns 17
Pick: Eagles -3 (-110)
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