Eagles vs. Browns score: Late-game miscues lead to Cleveland and Philadelphia ending exhibition in a tie

We have our first tie of the preseason

And we have ourselves the first tie of the 2023 preseason. The Browns and Eagles ended regulation knotted up at 18 points apiece and, thanks to a rule previously implemented by the NFL, overtime is nonexistent in the preseason. While this game did end in a draw, there was some late-game drama that spiced up what was overall a dull affair at Lincoln Financial Field, which opened up Week 2 of the preseason. 

Scoring was at a minimum in the first half as neither club was able to reach the end zone for a touchdown. The closest either club came to the end zone was Cleveland's opening drive of the night, taking the ball down to the 1-yard line before running back John Kelly Jr. fumbled and gave the ball to Philadelphia. Despite the ill-timed turnover, the Browns were able to hold a five-point lead heading into the break thanks, in part, to a safety they recorded following the fumble. Two plays after that turnover, Kenneth Gainwell was brought down in the end zone, handing the Browns two points. The Eagles would rally the following possession with a field goal drive toward the end of the first quarter, but that's all they could muster until the break. 

The second half did bring more scoring, but mental errors and late-game blunders were the true story of the half. After Philadelphia's Tanner McKee threw a touchdown to Brady Russell (coupled with a two-point conversion) to tie the game at 18, the Browns were able to drive 45 yards down the field and set up a possible game-winning field goal. Cade York initially lined up for the 47-yard field goal and the ball sailed wide right. However, a illegal formation called against the Eagles gave York a second chance from 42 yards out, which he also hooked to the right side. 

With under two minutes to play, Philadelphia couldn't muster a game-winning drive of their own and punted after traveling just six yards. The Browns last gasp after getting the ball back with 32 seconds left did have some promise, but instead of going out of bounds to set up a potential Hail Mary attempt, receiver Mike Harley Jr. stayed in bounds, which led the clock to fall to zero.  

Marcus Mariota, the presumed backup quarterback behind Jalen Hurts, started and played the entire first half and was inconsistent. The veteran completed 9 of 17 for 85 yards and an interception. He was then relieved by Tanner McKee, who went 10-for-18 with 147 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson started for Cleveland and continues to flash his potential, which has been bursting throughout training camp. He was 13-for-25 in the first half with 164 yards through the air and added 18 yards on four rushing attempts. Kellen Mond got the second half and he completed 12 of his 24 throws for 126 yards and a score. 

For a more in-depth look at this matchup, check out our main takeaways below.

Austin Watkins shines on poor offensive night

No matter what Eagles cornerback was covering Watkins, the Browns wide receiver continued to find ways to get open. Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kellen Mond each found Watkins for big gains throughout the evening, as the undrafted free agent from UAB finished with seven catches for 139 yards and a touchdown -- a 32-yard score in the third quarter where he made a bobbling reception. 

Whether it was Zech McPhearson, Eli Ricks, or Kelee Ringo -- Watkins found a way to get open and have a big catch.

Trey Sermon rebounds after lost fumble

Sermon didn't help his slim roster chances by fumbling a 14-yard reception in the second quarter, but was able to rebound in a big way. In what may have been the play of the day, Sermon was able to read his blockers and cut outside for a 33-yard touchdown run (the first touchdown of the game). Sermon finished with five carries for 54 yards and a touchdown and six touches for 68 yards. Sermon may not make the Eagles (odds are long), but he's impressing some team around the league.

Marcus Mariota struggles again

In what has been an inconsistent training camp for Mariota, that inconsistency carried over to the second preseason game. Getting the start due to Jalen Hurts and the first-teamers having the night off, Mariota and the Eagles offense struggled to get anything going. He was 9 of 17 for 86 yards and an interception (42.8 rating) as the offense tallied 102 yards, scored three points, and fell victim to a safety in the first half. The Eagles offense moved sufficiently better when Tanner McKee --a  rookie sixth-round pick was the game. The Eagles have their backup quarterback, but Mariota's play is a cause for concern.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson -- QB2

If the Browns were searching for who their backup quarterback to Deshaun Watson was, Thompson-Robinson is the guy. Continuing to build off a strong preseason, Thompson-Robinson was giving the Eagles cornerbacks fits, even if the Browns couldn't find the end zone in the first half. He even threw two blocks on the same play! (One was called back for illegal blindside block). He showed command in the pocket as he completed 13 of 25 passes for 164 yards (72.8 rating). The poise and confidence are there for Thompson-Robinson, who looks like a quarterback that started for four years in college.

Cade York's late-game struggles

As we noted above, it was a tough night for Cade York after the 2022 fourth-round pick missed two potential game-winning field goals. Up until that point, the second-year kicker had converted all three of his field goals, but those final two misses separated the Browns from pulling ahead with the victory. 

This miscue comes as York entered this exhibition missing his two previous field goal attempts of the preseason. This comes after a 2022 season where York converted just 75% of his field goals. 

Eagles injuries

The Eagles had a few scary injuries in this one, namely wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo -- both left on a stretcher with a neck injury. They had movement in all extremities. 

The other injuries the Eagles had were cornerback Zech McPhearson (ankle), and center Josh Andrews (ankle) ruled out. Nolan Smith and Olamide Zaccheaus each had shoulder injuries and left, but returned to the sidelines and watched the game with their teammates. The Eagles took some battle wounds in this affair.

What's next

From here, the Eagles will remain in Philly and host the Colts for their preseason finale on Aug. 24. As for the Browns, they'll head to Arrowhead Stadium to wrap up their exhibition season against the Chiefs on Aug. 26. 

[Aug 17, 2023 at 11:02 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

We have a tie in the preseason.

#Eagles 18, #Browns 18

Log a 4th quarter comeback for Tanner McKee. Jalen Hurts caught a pass.

It's over. 

[Aug 17, 2023 at 11:00 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

I think Jalen Hurts just caught that Kellen Mond pass. This game is 8 seconds away from a  tie -- 3:30 later. 

[Aug 17, 2023 at 10:45 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Hard to ignore the injuries for the Eagles in this tie game

McPhearson (ankle) -- out

Andrews (ankle) -- out

Ojomo (neck) -- out, movement in extremities

Cleveland (neck) -- out, movement in extremities

Smith (shoulder) -- questionable

.Zaccheaus (shoulder) -- questionable

[Aug 17, 2023 at 10:35 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Tanner McKee -- 8-of-14, 121 yards, TD, 109.5 rating. 

 Has the Eagles on the verge of a fourth-quarter comeback.

[Aug 17, 2023 at 10:25 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Moro Ojomo down for the Eagles. The cart is out. 

[Aug 17, 2023 at 10:19 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Tanner McKee tried to thread the needle to Deon Cain on that 4th-and-goal, but Cain couldn't get that catch down. Even with the Chuck Wiley hit, that was a nice ball from McKee on the run.

[Aug 17, 2023 at 9:57 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Austin Watkins has 6 catches for 124 yards tonight. Torching the Eagles DBs. 

[Aug 17, 2023 at 9:34 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Nolan Smith appears to be okay. He's back on the sideline watching the game with his teammates.