'Lackluster Eagles Tie with Browns Amplifies Disappointment for Marcus Mariota'

The Philadelphia Eagles tied with the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game, with the Eagles' backups struggling.

The Philadelphia Eagles faced off against the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field. With the starters resting, it was an opportunity for the backups to shine. However, the game ended in an 18-18 tie.

The Eagles' backups, with the exception of a few players, took the field. Linebacker Nakobe Dean made a notable play by forcing a fumble near the goal line. Running back Kenneth Gainwell, unfortunately, was caught in the end zone for a safety. It was a tough night for Eagles backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, who was booed after being intercepted in the last two minutes of the first half.

The drop-off from starting quarterback Jalen Hurts to Mariota was evident, raising questions about the team's quarterback depth. Despite the tie, there were some standout performances from the Eagles' backups.

Mariota struggled to grasp the offense, throwing one interception and nearly throwing two more. He finished the game with 9 completions on 17 attempts for 85 yards, three sacks, and a low passer rating of 5.1 in the first quarter.

Backup quarterback Tanner McKee had a solid performance, although he was let down by three dropped passes. He connected with Tyree Jackson for a 36-yard completion and threw a touchdown pass to newly signed Brady Russell. McKee also completed a two-point conversion to Johnny King, tying the game at 18 in the fourth quarter.

In the running back department, Gainwell had a tough time finding running lanes, thanks to a strong defensive play by linebacker Mohamoud Diabate. Rashad Penny had a 16-yard run, aided by a good block from right guard Josh Sills. Trey Sermon redeemed himself with a 33-yard touchdown run, giving the Eagles a brief lead.

Among the wide receivers, Olamide Zaccheaus made a catch but left the game with a shoulder injury. Tyrie Cleveland suffered a neck injury but had movement in all extremities. Devon Allen returned from a calf injury and made two quick receptions.

The offensive line had some standout moments, including a key block by Josh Sills that sprung Penny for a big run. However, rookie left tackle Tyler Steen had a forgettable night, committing back-to-back false starts on third-and-one.

On the defensive side, Nakobe Dean bounced back from a penalty to force a fumble near the goal line, which was recovered by K'Von Wallace. Linebacker Zach Cunningham led the team with seven tackles. The defensive line, led by Nolan Smith, made several solid plays, including a sack by Kentavius Street.

Safety Sydney Brown impressed with his pursuit and hard-hitting tackles. Cornerback Zech McPhearson had a rough start, getting beaten on consecutive plays. He did, however, make six tackles before suffering an ankle injury. Eli Ricks, who had a pick-six in a previous game, was burned on a touchdown reception.

Kicker Jake Elliott showcased his strength by nailing a 56-yard field goal, giving the Eagles an early lead.

Overall, the game provided an opportunity for the Eagles' backups to showcase their skills. While there were some standout moments, the tie highlighted the drop-off in talent from the starters. The team will need to address their quarterback depth and fine-tune their performance in preparation for the regular season.

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