The Browns dropped their fourth consecutive game as they fell 20-16 to the Eagles in Week 6.
"Very frustrated," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Want to close a game out there and we get down low and go backwards on a couple of false starts, which is really tough. I know there's plays to be had, but we got to find a way to close the football games out and stay competitive there until the end. I know the guys are fighting like crazy, and I appreciate that. But we got to find a way to get a win against a good opponent. And we had our opportunities and did not come through."
They wrapped up a three-game road stretch and will begin a three-game home stand in Week 7. Here are three big takeaways from Sunday's loss.
Browns offense struggles to convert on third downs
Heading into Week 6, the Browns had converted 12 of 66 third down attempts. Their struggles to convert on third down plays continued to plague them against the Eagles, and were forced into multiple three-and-out situations. The Browns were 0 of 6 of their third down attempts through the 10:30 mark of the second quarter.
They converted their first third-down attempt with about a minute left in the third quarter as RB Pierre Strong Jr. caught a short pass from QB Deshaun Watson and ran for 21 yards. The Browns finished the game converting 3 of 12 third-down attempts, with the other two conversions coming on the final two offensive drives of the game for the Browns.
With their struggles to convert third downs throughout the game, the Browns were forced to punt the ball on four offensive drives and settle for field goal attempts on their other four drives. They converted three of their four field goal attempts.
"Put that on me," Stefanski said. "That's a little bit of a miscommunication. But bottom line is, we got to be better in that area. We have to be able to turn short yards into first downs."
They also continued to deal with penalties that put the Browns farther behind the sticks and into third-and-long situations. The Browns had a total of seven penalties against the Eagles for a loss of 55 yards.
"This was a little bit different, just in that it was false starts, as opposed to procedural," Stefanski said. "Trust me, it's self-inflicted. It's nothing that the other team's doing. It's what we're doing. And, not for a lack of effort, we will be better. We have to be better."
Check out photos of the Browns against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) and Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Safety Chris Edmonds (41) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Cornerback Tony Brown II (38) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
`Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6), Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12), and Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Browns defense with key play in the first half
As the Eagles attempted a 57-yard field goal with 25 seconds left in the first half, DE Myles Garrett got his hand on the ball and blocked the field goal attempt. As the ball bounced away, S Rodney McLeod Jr. picked up the ball and ran all the way down the field for 50 yards into the end zone for the touchdown.
Garrett said they have practiced the play so that he's ready for when it's called in a game situation.
"Whenever I see that play come up, I'm pretty certain I'm going to get the block. Just depends on if we get the score or not," Garrett said.
McLeod's touchdown was the Browns first blocked field goal returned for a touchdown since Leigh Bodden on Nov. 13, 2005. The defensive touchdown also marked the Browns' first and only touchdown of the day, as well as McLeod's second touchdown this season.
"It was something that we repped all week," McLeod said. "Bubba put a great plan together and we put our best player in a position to affect the game. And that's Myles Garrett. He's two for two, he had one last year in Indy, this week, another call, another big play and I was just there to scoop and score. I appreciate all the blocks."
Yet, the Browns had another key defensive play right beforehand that helped set up the blocked field goal. LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah found a hole in the offense and barreled toward QB Jalen Hurts for the only sack of the game.
Overall, the Browns defense had both positive and negative moments, as they gave up a total of eight explosive plays. Both Eagles' touchdowns came on explosive plays – with the first touchdown on a 22-yard pass to WR A.J. Brown in the second quarter, and the second on a 45-yard pass to WR DeVonta Smith in the fourth quarter.
"It's just competitive plays," McLeod said. "If you look at those plays, guys are competing. We're just one tick away from getting the ball out and you think it's going in a different direction. So, we can't get down on ourselves, we just have to double down on the process, get the routine to work and trust that eventually, things are going to go our way."
Improvement in the run game
Even in the loss, the Browns found a balance of using the run game throughout all four quarters and built success in the flow of the run game. Strong led the way for the Browns run game, as he finished the game with eight carries for 43 rushing yards – with his longest run of the day for 14 yards. RB D'Onta Foreman added another 31 rushing yards on 10 carries, with his longest run of 12 yards.
"I thought we tried to run the ball a little bit more," LG Joel Bitonio said. "Put an emphasis on some under center zone runs this week. We did a decent job of that. We just keep self-inflicting ourselves. The hold on the power, the false starts upon false starts. Just kill our momentum and we're not playing well enough to overcome those things. So, we gotta find a way to do that. But I do feel like we did a little bit better trying to run the ball this week.
The Browns also saw an uptick in their run game in the second half, as they rushed for 56 yards in the second half, compared to 44 rushing yards in the first half. The Browns rushed for a net 100 rushing yards on 25 total carries. They also had 48 percent success rate on rushing against the Eagles and averaged four yards per carry.
"Yeah, I think there were some looks there that were advantageous to us," Stefanski said. "And I thought the guys, again, the strain and finish was there in the run game for sure."
