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The Browns are a tough sell these days, but given that most Eagles games are low-variance, a familiar Philly nailbiter could be in store. True, Deshaun Watson has been disappointing on the Browns side, but Cleveland's only bad effort was last week at Washington. Before Kevin Stefanskji starts thinking seriously about turning the offense over to Jameis Winston, Watson will be given every chance to pull the platoon out of its funk. Nick Chubb is also slated to return soon, though enough weapons are still on on to stay competitive with anybody. Jalen Hurts gets DeVonta Smith (out last week) back into the lineup on Sunday, but a look at Philly's recent pattern shows a collection of close results and few comfortable wins. Play Browns
Cleveland ranks dead last in yards per play (3.8) despite facing the easiest schedule of opposing defenses to date. The Browns are giving up 5.0 yards per rush and will have their hands full stopping Saquon Barkley; he's rushed for 435 yards while averaging 6.0 yards per carry. With the Eagles getting back their top two wideouts and offensive lineman, I like Philly by double digits.
The Eagles will have their offense whole again for this game, and they'll take on a Browns defense that has been run all over, is beat up in the secondary and has struggled on the road dating back to last year. But what gets me to the Over in the game is the Browns finally having their starting tackles in place with Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills avoiding injury designations. That gives Cleveland some offensive upside against a Philly defense allowing six yards per play and ranking near the bottom of several key metrics. This could hit the over in a 30-13 Philly rout, but I expect the Cleveland offense to put some points on the board and keep us from sweating it too much.
Lost amid all of the valid discussion of how pathetic Deshaun Watson is, is the Browns defensive regression. Methinks they are on the cusp of quitting, this is still a very physical Eagles OL, and Barkley is eating and coming off a bye. Even with their WRs coming back, Philly is going to try to pound the ball. Barkley is averaging 6/carry and Browns giving up 5/carry (29th in the NFL). I don't think he will tack from touches here.