CLEVELAND — It was about as uneventful as you could expect a preseason game to be, although there were still some bright spots.
The Browns lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 21-20 Sunday in their second preseason game, which was also the first contest at FirstEnergy Stadium in 2022. The vast majority of the starters for both teams sat out, making it a matchup of men fighting for playing time.
With both Deshaun Watson and Jacoby Brissett resting for Cleveland, Joshua Dobbs impressed at quarterback, completing 14 of 20 passes for 141 yards while also running for 47 yards and a touchdown. John Kelly Jr. also had 66 rushing yards and a score, and rookie receiver David Bell caught three passes for 46 yards.
JIMMY'S TAKE: Josh Dobbs is 'fitting well inside the Browns' offense' as team figures out QB situation
As for the Browns' other quarterback, Josh Rosen did not have a good afternoon, completing only 7 of 20 throws for 88 yards. His last four passes all fell incomplete as Cleveland was attempting to drive and win the game.
The defense had its moments, but was also prone to long drives and big plays, notably a 55-yard touchdown grab by Philly's Devon Allen that provided the difference. The kick return situation also remains up in the air, with Mike Harley Jr. only getting to return one kickoff for 19 yards. Cade York did make 2 of his 3 field goal tries, including a 50-yarder that would've been good from about 60.
The Browns have one exhibition game remaining this coming Saturday against the Chicago Bears. What follows is our up-to-the-minute live blog of today's events, with the most recent plays, drives, and updates closest to the top. Stay tuned for more all afternoon long on 3News and WKYC.com.
4TH QUARTER
1:26: Josh Rosen caps off an ugly fourth quarter with four straight incompletions, including a fourth-down pass 15 yards over Javon Wims' head. The Eagles take over and will run out the clock to preserve the victory.
1:47: The Browns will get one last chance, as the defense holds and forces a punt into the end zone. First-and-10 at the 20.
3:09: Josh Rosen leads the Browns into Eagles territory, but on fourth-and-9, his pass flutters to the ground. Philly takes over at its own 47-yard line.
7:02: A Chris Weaver sack of Reid Sinnett sets up an Eagles punt, and Arryn Siposs boots it inside the 10. A penalty gives the Browns the ball at their own 5.
10:31: The Browns, unfortunately, return the favor as John Kelly Jr. is stuffed on a fourth-and-1 attempt. The Eagles get the ball back at their own 41.
12:05: For the second time today, the Browns stop the Eagles on fourth down, this time at mid-field as Parnell Motley knocks away Reid Sinnett's pass. Cleveland takes over with a chance to re-take the lead.
3RD QUARTER
0:51: Now it's the Browns' turn to punt as the offense stalls around mid-field after a pair of first downs. Corey Bojorquez's kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
3:42 - Eagles 21, Browns 20: And just like that, Philly regains the lead as Devon Allen scorches the secondary and catches a wide-open 55-yard touchdown pass from Reid Sinnett.
3:50: Cade York is human, after all, as his 55-yard field goal attempt has plenty of leg but clangs off the right upright. The Eagles get it back at their own 45.
8:05: An Eagles first down does no damage as the Browns' defense forces the first punt of the afternoon. Arryn Siposs' kick rolls out of bounds at the Cleveland 15, where Josh Rosen will take over at quarterback.
10:08 - Browns 20, Eagles 14: Cleveland takes its first lead of the day as John Kelly Jr. caps off an 11-play drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.
2ND QUARTER
0:00 - Eagles 14, Browns 13: Joshua Dobbs leads the Browns on a 95-yard march to the Philly 1, but the offense is stopped with a second to go. Kevin Stefanski opts for the field goal, and Cade York boots a 19-yarder as we head into halftime.
1:57: Another long Eagles drive gets inside the Browns' 5, but a nice tackle by Glen Logan and Willie Harvey Jr. forces fourth down. Gardner Minshew's ensuing pass is knocked away by Herb Miller, although he nearly picked it off and would've been gone down the sideline had he held on. Still, Cleveland gets the ball at its own 3.
7:50 - Eagles 14, Browns 10: This drive doesn't end in a touchdown, but rookie kicker Cade York's legend continues to grow as he nails a 50-yard field goal with plenty of distance to spare.
10:55 - Eagles 14, Browns 7: The Philly offense moves methodically down the field again as this time Kenneth Gainwell punches it in for a 2-yard touchdown.
1ST QUARTER
3:30 - Eagles 7, Browns 7: Joshua Dobbs plays the roll of hero, in an odd way. After scrambling for a 36-yard gain into the red zone, the young quarterback drops a low snap in the shotgun, but picks it up at the 7-yard line and subsequently takes it in for a touchdown to tie it up.
7:34 - Eagles 7, Browns 0: We'll get a healthy dose of the backups today, as all of the Browns' defensive starters are sitting out.
Boston Scott dominated the opening drive for Philly, tallying 44 total yards and converting a fourth-down attempt before finishing things off with a 1-yard touchdown run.
PREGAME
12:45 p.m.: The Browns have officially listed four players as "not expected to play," all due to injuries:
- WR Michael Woods II (hamstring)
- DE Isaiah Thomas (hand)
- DE Chase Winovich (hamstring)
- CB Greg Newsome II (hamstring)
The actual list is likely much longer, and the team did confirm on social media that third-string quarterback Joshua Dobbs will indeed get the start. This means Jacoby Brissett will once again stay on the bench.
11:30 a.m.: While it's certainly not a regular-season crowd, tailgaters have made their way to the Muni Lot! Kierra Cotton spoke with some of them this morning:
11 a.m.: The weather could play an unwelcome factor today, with thunderstorms scattering across Northeast Ohio and a flood advisory in effect for Cuyahoga County. 3News meteorologist Peyton Domschke tells us what to expect: