The Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) enter Week 6 with a chip on their shoulder, expected to be as healthy as they’ve been since the season opener coming out of an early bye week.
The Cleveland Browns (1-4)? They head to the Linc Sunday as a desperate team looking to stop a surprising three-game slide.
The storylines surrounding this matchup are not pretty. For the Eagles, talks of Jalen Hurts’ alarming turnover streak and head coach Nick Sirianni’s job security have swirled for weeks, since the team’s ugly, 33-16 loss at Tampa Bay in Week 4.
For the Browns, the poor play of $230 million quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to be a hot topic around the league. Head coach Kevin Stefanski could find himself on the hot seat following a loss in Philly, and the NFL rumor mill has five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper on the trade block should Cleveland’s struggles continue.
MORE: Eagles predicted to land five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver at NFL trade deadline
It all boils down to a big game for both sides. With Philly expected to have key offensive starters A.J. Brown (hamstring), DeVonta Smith (concussion) and Lane Johnson (concussion) back in the lineup, the Eagles have become a trendy pick straight-up with two weeks to rest and prepare.
Here’s what NFL analysts and experts are saying about the matchup:
NFL picks, predictions Week 6: Eagles vs. Browns
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Eagles 27, Browns 17
Iyer: "The Eagles will come out of the bye with better passing-game health and a pressure defense that will come together better for DC Vic Fangio. Nick Sirianni can cool off his hot seat while making things even warmer for Kevin Stefanski. Look for Jalen Hurts to have a big all-around game as Cleveland's front also gets pushed around up front for a rested Saquon Barkley and the running game. Deshaun Watson may finally prompt a change with a little more poor play on the road in the NFC East again.”
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Eagles 27, Browns 19
Bender: "The Eagles will come out of the bye with better passing-game health and a pressure defense that will come together better for DC Vic Fangio. Nick Sirianni can cool off his hot seat while making things even warmer for Kevin Stefanski. Look for Jalen Hurts to have a big all-around game as Cleveland's front also gets pushed around up front for a rested Saquon Barkley and the running game. Deshaun Watson may finally prompt a change with a little more poor play on the road in the NFC East again.”
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Eagles 31, Browns 14
Cluff: “It's going to be a long season in Cleveland, and this game could be a very long game for Deshaun Watson and the Browns. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles will roll.”
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: Eagles 31, Browns 17
Johnson: “The wheels fell off the Cleveland Browns weeks ago and now everything else is collapsing. Already saddled by arguably the worst offense in football, Cleveland’s defense is now taking massive steps backward. As for the Philadelphia Eagles, they should be coming off the bye refreshed with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Lane Johnson potentially returning. This is a golden opportunity for a ‘get-right game’ for the Eagles and they have to take advantage of it.”
Ben Rolfe, Pro Football Network: Eagles 24, Browns 17
Rolfe: “Cleveland has a league-average defense and the worst offense in the league across a number of metrics, including EPA per game. However, the Eagles’ risk of rustiness, combined with the potential for a fired-up Browns team this week, is a tough pair of intangibles to account for. I believe Philadelphia will win, but covering close to 10 points is too much.”
Consensus: Eagles 28, Browns 17
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