Week 1 Eagles (1-0) vs. Browns (0-1) Recap
Final Score: Eagles 17 – Browns 16
Writer’s Pregame Prediction: Eagles 34 – Browns 10
Play of the Game: Michael Vick threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Clay Harbor with 1:19 remaining in the 4th quarter to put the Eagles up 17-16.
Stat of the Game: The 2 teams combined for 9 turnovers.
Eagles Player of the Game Offense: LeSean McCoy. In a game where both offenses struggled, it was McCoy who came up with some clutch runs on the Eagles final touchdown drive.
Eagles Player of the Game Defense: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Twice Rodgers-Cromartie intercepted Brandon Weeden on throws down the sideline, including a beautiful leaping grab in the 2nd quarter for interception #1.
Opponent Player of the Game Offense: Phil Dawson. The Browns offense was putrid in both the run and passing games. Weeden threw 4 interceptions, while Trent Richardson averaged only 2.1 yards per carry. The kicker Dawson may have been the only bright spot as he connected on all 3 of his field goals.
Opponent Player of the Game Defense: Joe Haden. Haden was matched up with speedster DeSean Jackson and limited him to just 77 yards receiving, and only 15 after the 1st quarter.
Best Throw: Honorable Mention goes to Michael Vick’s touch pass down the sideline to Jeremy Maclin just before halftime, but the throw of the day has to be Vick’s bullet to Cole Harbor for the game winning touchdown with 1:19 left in the game.
Best Catch: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. His 1st interception of the day was Calvin Johnson like, as he got position on his receiver and leaped to catch the ball at its highest point.
Best Run: Not many to choose from but Michael Vick’s 15 yard scurry up the middle to give the Eagles a 1st down in the 1st quarter was the kind of run you expect of Vick.
Best Hit: Rookie Trent Richardson lowered his helmet into tackler Kurt Coleman, sending Coleman’s helmet flying, and exciting the Cleveland faithful that this may be a sign of future things to come.
Best Kick: Phil Dawson nailed field goals of 43, 42, and 22 on the day.
Game Quote: Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, “It was one of those games where you had to dig deep and keep fighting and capitalize off of that; get in the film room and see what you can do better,” he said. “No matter how it is, at the end of the day a win is a win. You just look to build off that and keep on going.”
Recap: A sloppy turnover plagued game was not what Andy Reid and the Eagles were looking for in the 1st game of the season. However, after losing multiple games in the 4th quarter a year ago it was nice to see Vick lead a game winning 4th quarter touchdown drive.
Game Ball Goes to: The Eagles Defense. A year after being torn apart by offenses and the media alike the defense looked like a top 5 unit, limiting the Browns to 210 total yards and forcing 4 turnovers.
Next Up: The Eagles (1-0) host the Baltimore Ravens (0-0) next Sunday September 16th at 1:00.
Current NFC East Standings
1. Cowboys (1-0)
2. Eagles (1-0)
3. Redskins (1-0)
4. Giants (0-1)
