Zone reads: A look around at the Eagles win over the Browns

Zone reads: A look around at the Eagles win over the Browns image

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The Philadelphia Eagles handled some adversity Sunday, returning from the bye week to beat the Cleveland Browns, 20-16. 

But for a team with Super Bowl aspirations after getting there two seasons ago, being 3-2 in mid-October isn’t exactly fulfilling.

Then there’s the way it looked, with the team needing to overcome another slow start before holding Cleveland to a late field goal in the red zone before running out the clock. 

MORE: NFL writer predicts Eagles troll Giants with ‘Saquon Barkley Show’ on offense in Week 7

Jeff McLane, Philadelphia Inquirer: ‘Constipated offense’

“Philadelphia’s faithful are a demanding lot. But they know bad football when they see it, and when the offense went three-and-out on yet another opening drive — despite an extra week to finally get the starting script right — boos rained down on the Eagles on an otherwise clear day.”

Mike Sielski, Philadelphia Inquirer: Sirianni tried to deflect criticism

“It was impossible to watch him on that dais — his kids smiling and squirming as he dropped a s--- and an ass and smacked the table and monologued about the passion of a home crowd whose members spent most of the day sitting on their hands — and not see what was really going on.”

Reuben Frank, NBC Sports Philadelphia: 10 Observations

“The Eagles have now gone 16 consecutive games without beating anybody by two possessions, and that’s insane. The last time they won a game by more than eight points was Miami last October. For those of you who keep track of this stuff, this is the Eagles’ 3rd-longest streak of games without a two-possession win in 40 years.”

Martin Frank, Delaware News Journal: Why Eagles players loved it 

"We thrive off the crowd when they cheer for us," Sirianni said. "We hear them when they boo. We don’t necessarily like it. I don't think that's productive for anybody. When they cheer for us, and we got them rolling, we love it."

Dan Gelston, Associated Press: Eagles hold off the Browns 20-16

“On the field, it was mostly the same old Eagles, who turned running back Saquon Barkley into a bystander, couldn’t get Hurts to consistently connect with his star receivers, and had shoddy execution -- notably on special teams.

“The saving grace? They played the Browns.”

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