NFL News & Analysis

NFL Preseason Week 2 Game Recap: Philadelphia Eagles 21, Cleveland Browns 20

Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) celebrates with quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Gardner Minshew and a steady rushing attack propelled the Philadelphia Eagles past the Cleveland Browns, 21-20, in Week 2 of the 2022 NFL preseason.

Editor’s note: All grades in this article are subject to review. All PFF player grades will be finalized by 12 pm ET tomorrow.


PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

QUARTERBACK

Gardner Minshew played an efficient game — 14-of-17 for 142 yards — but did make a turnover-worthy play.

Reid Sinnett entered in relief and tossed a deep touchdown to speedster Devon Allen.

RUNNING BACK

Boston Scott‘s first carries came with the starters, whereas Kenneth Gainwell got his first touch later in the opening period — which could have fantasy football implications. Both found the end zone.

Gainwell beat out Scott in yards after contact per attempt — 3.1 to 1.2.

RECEIVERS

Deon Cain and Jalen Reagor were the Eagles' two receivers to haul in contested catches on the day.

Devon Allen‘s 55-yard diving catch for a score was the highlight of the unit's uneventful day overall.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Rookie center Cam Jurgens was perfect in pass protection across 10 such snaps. He has now allowed one hurry on 31 pass-blocking snaps this preseason.

Andre Dillard was the lone Eagles lineman to surrender pressure on the day.

DEFENSIVE LINE

It was a quiet day for Philadelphia's pass-rushers, with the defensive line failing to record a sack or a quarterback hit.

2021 seventh-rounder Patrick Johnson did tally a quarterback hurry and beat his blocker another two times.

LINEBACKER

Rookie Nakobe Dean continued to look like a draft steal in the third round. He made two run stops on just 11 run-defense snaps.

SECONDARY

Andre Chachere surrendered three catches on five targets for 42 yards, although he is set to be the Eagles' highest-graded coverage defender, helped by forcing an incompletion.

Rookie Josh Jobe also forced an incompletion and didn't allow a catch on two targets into his coverage.


CLEVELAND BROWNS

QUARTERBACK

Josh Dobbs played into the second half and completed 14 of his 20 attempts for 141 yards. He was particularly efficient when targeting the 10-to-19-yard range, going 5-of-6 for 77 yards in that area of the field.

Josh Rosen was next up for the Browns. The former first-round pick posted just a 36.8% adjusted completion rate but did make a big-time throw.

RUNNING BACK

Cleveland rotated three backs, with John Kelly (26 snaps) and Jerome Ford (23 snaps) seeing the most playing time.

Kelly notched five first-down runs and found the end zone on the back of 14 carries for 66 yards. He averaged a solid 3.4 yards after contact.

RECEIVERS

Anthony Schwartz dropped yet another pass, bringing his preseason total to three. He caught his other two targets for 20 yards.

Rookie David Bell made his preseason debut. He is set to be Cleveland's highest-graded receiver from the contest after grabbing three of his four targets for 46 yards in addition to forcing a missed tackle.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Cleveland's offensive line kept the Eagles' pass-rushers at bay for the majority of the contest. The unit surrendered only two pressures — both hurries — on 33 team pass-blocking snaps.

Guard Michael Dunn is on track to lead the team in run-blocking grade across 17 such snaps.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Just as Cleveland's offensive line held Philadelphia in check, the Eagles did the same to the Browns' pass-rushers. Isaac Rochell tallied two pressures to lead the group.

Third-round rookie Alex Wright posted three run stops across 14 such snaps and made four tackles overall in the run game.

LINEBACKER

Although linebackers are typically picked on in coverage, the Browns' unit gave up just four catches for 26 yards on the day.

Tony Fields II, despite missing a tackle, tallied two run stops across 24 run-defense snaps in the contest.

SECONDARY

Lavert Hill surrendered two deep catches for a combined 47 yards.

After a sensational preseason Week 1 showing, rookie Martin Emerson gave up two catches on two targets for 17 yards in this game.

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit