Eagles rookie storylines for the Browns game
The Eagles are coming off a bye and hoping to get back on track with a win on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Despite their flaws, the Browns are a talented team on both sides of the ball and won’t be a walk in the park for Philadelphia. Here is what to look for from the rookies.
The time is ripe for Quinyon Mitchell to get an interception.
Quinyon Mitchell has started the season really strong, locking up a handful of top wide receivers. Sunday’s game will most likely have Mitchell matched up with Amari Cooper and/or Jerry Jeudy. So, more of the same in terms of quality of receiver talent. What’s different this week is that, for the first time this season, the opposing quarterback really sucks. Deshaun Watson has been god awful since he got to Cleveland and has looked especially hapless this year. While the Eagles defense has been inconsistent (at best) this season, this could be a get-right game for the whole unit. For Mitchell in particular, some errant passes could come his way and he could capitalize on them with his first career interception.
Cooper DeJean, your time in now
After sitting behind Avonte Maddox, Cooper DeJean is reportedly getting a shot to be the full-time slot defender on the Eagles defense. An offseason injury really stunted his chances for early season snaps but now he has a great shot to prove himself on a defense in need of some reinforcements.
Expect some growing pains, but DeJean offers immediate upgrades in the form of athleticism and run defense at the position. It will be exciting to see him get more comfortable over time.
Things should be different at Lincoln Financial Field when the 2-2 Eagles welcome the 1-4 Browns to Philly. On the heels of a Week 4 disgusting 33-16 loss to the Bucs in Tampa, the Birds received a desperately-needed early-season bye week to lick both their emotional and physical wounds.
Two of their biggest offensive playmakers are expected to return on Sunday. A.J. Brown’s hamstring is now 100% and Devonta Smith has cleared concussion protocol. Lane Johnson is also slated to return. And with the defense fully healthy as well, the Eagles enter their game Sunday against a moribund Cleveland team with all the advantages a team can muster.
