Michael Vick’s worst start as an Eagle just may have ended with his best drive. Vick threw a career high 4 INTs on the day and fumbled twice (neither lost), but got himself together to lead the Eagles on a 5 minute, 80 yards drive that ended with a go ahead TD to Clay Harbor with than 2 minutes left.
The Browns would fall short on their own comeback attempt when rookie Brandon Weeden threw his 4th pick of the day to ice the game for the Eagles.
While the Eagles did salvage the win, it was an afternoon that won’t leave many Eagles fans feeling really good. The offense turned the ball over 5 total times today and the team combined for 110 yards of penalties.
As sloppy as the offense was, however, the Eagles defense was a revelation. They picked off rookie QB Brandon Weeden 4 times and limited rookie Trent Richardson, the 3rd overall pick in the draft, to just 2.1 yards per carry. Despite being stuck with terrible field position all day thanks the turnovers, the Eagles defense did not allow the Browns into the end zone. Cleveland’s lone TD came on a pick 6.
The tone was set by the new man in the middle, DeMeco Ryans, who led the team with 5 tackles and seemed to be in the middle of every play. The veteran had some fans worried with a lackluster preseason, but he clearly was saving his best for when the games counted.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Kurt Coleman both had two picks a piece for an Eagles defense that really did not have a weak link.
The Eagles return home next week to face the Ravens, a team that won’t be nearly as forgiving to the Eagles mistakes as the Browns were today.