The Philadelphia Eagles stood strong behind a solid defensive effort in a 2016 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. There were questions surrounding a defensive unit still trying to find its footing under a new defensive coordinator in the early NFL season. Many questioned the inefficiency of a defensive unit that had generated only 6 sacks when the NFL leader in sacks, Aiden Hutchinson, had 6.5 maulings for the Detroit Lions in the first four weeks of the season.
On Sunday, the defense responded to the challenge in the win against a spiraling 1-5 Cleveland Browns squad. The Eagles almost matched Hutchinson’s season total with 6 sacks on the day, while adding 10 quarterback hits. Philadelphia was credited with 66 tackles on the afternoon, meaning that 16 pressures represent a 24% success rate in disrupting Cleveland’s offensive game plan.
Jalen Carter’s records first sack of the season
Jalen Carter, Josh Sweat, and Nolan Smith Jr. all recorded individual sacks on Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in Sunday afternoon’s win on South Broad Street. Philadelphia’s Sports Networks Bryan Cameron spoke to Jalen Carter after the game regarding his first sack of the 2024-25 NFL season. “The play was called,” a joyful Carter told the media. “Thank God, I got the first one. It’s time to get more for me and as a D-line.”
With six sacks recorded in his rookie year, Jalen Carter expected to record his first sack earlier this season. “I’ve been waiting to get my first one,” the second-year defensive player said. “I had a couple (of) opportunities where I missed the quarterback. Like the Green Bay game, I almost had Jordan Love but he got the ball off. I got plenty of opportunities and it’s good to get that first one.”
Jalen Carter finished the day with three QB hits to pair with that initial sack on a day when the Philadelphia Eagles defense only allowed 244 yards in total offense to the Browns.
Defensive draft picks continue to impress
Rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean recorded a 0.5 sack when the six-foot-defensive back took down Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson alongside Milton Williams in the first quarter. The standout second-round selection by Philly did not have a sack during his three-year, 30-game career at Iowa. The 2 QB pressures were part of the solid showing for the rookie with three solo tackles and six takedowns.
Eagles first-round draft selection Quinyon Mitchell nearly had his first NFL interception, however, the cornerback collided with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and the football fell to the grass at the Linc. Mitchell had two solo and three total tackles on the day while also breaking up a pair of pass attempts.
Brandon Graham 1st Eagles player to 200
Perhaps a slightly overlooked milestone occurred on Sunday when Brandon Graham suited up for his 200th career regular-season NFL game. He is the first Philadelphia Eagles player to accomplish the feat in the storied history of the franchise. There are only four active NFL defensive players who have played in 200 NFL games – Nick Bellore (Washington), Calais Campbell (Miami), Jerry Hughes (Houston), and Cameron Jordan (New Orleans).
Jalen Carter commented to Philadelphia Sports Network what the win meant to the team. “Feels good.” Carter claimed, “Especially in BG’s 200th game? Gotta win for the boy BG there.”
The 15-year veteran contributed to the victory with 5 tackles including a tackle for a loss. Four of his five of Graham’s stops, or 80% of them, were solo tackles in the win against Cleveland. In his 200 NFL games, the Eagles iconic No. 55 has 475 tackles and 74 sacks, including the biggest play in Philadelphia Eagles history, a strip sack of Tom Brady during the Eagles Super Bowl XLII win.
Brandon Graham will be expected to suit up for his 201st NFL game next Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles host the New York Giants for the first NFC East battle of the season. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 pm EST at Lincoln Financial Field.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
