PHILADELPHIA — In a moment of defiance, Nick Sirianni, the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, responded to fans who had been chanting for his dismissal as time wound down in a close game. With just seconds left, he gestured toward fans in the front rows after securing a narrow four-point victory against the Cleveland Browns.
After overcoming the Browns 20-16, Sirianni took a moment to boast, despite ongoing questions about his job security. “Just excited to get the win. Appreciate the Linc support,” he remarked, signaling that his focus remains on the game rather than the crowd’s reaction.
The victory was powered by Jalen Hurts, who completed 264 passing yards and threw two touchdowns, including a pivotal 45-yard pass to DeVonta Smith in the final quarter. Hurts also connected with A.J. Brown for a 22-yard touchdown. The Eagles, now at 3-2, are looking to maintain their momentum following a bye week, but they can’t afford injuries to key players like Smith and Brown.
Despite the win, there were moments of concern. The Eagles struggled to engage their fanbase during a lackluster performance, especially before Smith’s touchdown spurred a reaction from the crowd, which had been more vocal in its criticism of Sirianni.
“We need you back, Nick. We need your energy. We need your focus,” some players conveyed to Sirianni, who encourages his team to be themselves on the field.
As the Browns made their final push to equalize late in the game, they settled for a field goal, unable to capitalize fully on their efforts. The Eagles tightened their grip on the game by maintaining possession in the closing minutes, with a crucial 40-yard connection from Hurts to Brown solidifying their win.
Sirianni, who made personal adjustments by shaving his head during the bye week, acknowledged that changes were needed in the team’s execution, especially as they faced criticism for underwhelming performances, particularly in special teams play.
Cleveland struggled offensively, with Deshaun Watson’s performance raising questions about the effectiveness of their $230 million quarterback. Watson threw for only 168 yards and failed to score a touchdown, contributing to the Browns’ record of not reaching 20 points in any game this season.
Cleveland’s only touchdown came from a defensive play when All-Pro Myles Garrett blocked a field goal attempt, resulting in a scooped score by Rodney McLeod Jr. Watson faced considerable pressure, with multiple sacks affecting his game.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski reaffirmed his confidence in Watson, despite the team’s difficulties. “I know the guys are fighting like crazy… We had our opportunities and did not come through,” he stated.
In a game that began without scoring in the first quarter, Jake Elliott made a 49-yard field goal for the Eagles to start the scoring. The Eagles then found a rhythm, with Hurts executing passes that led to a 10-point advantage. However, a critical blocked attempt just before halftime allowed the Browns to tie the game at 10-10, inciting frustration among Eagles fans who expressed their displeasure as the team exited the field.
Injury concerns emerged for both teams, with the Browns losing center Nick Harris and running back Jerome Ford to injuries, while the Eagles saw tight end Dallas Goedert and cornerback Darius Slay leave with injuries.
Looking ahead, the Browns will take on the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday, while the Eagles will face the New York Giants on the same day.