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Paul Domowitch's Eagles-Browns Scouting Report

Recent history: The Eagles defeated the Browns in Cleveland on Oct. 24, 2004, 34-31, in overtime. Cleveland leads the series, 31-14-1.

Recent history: The Eagles defeated the Browns in Cleveland on Oct. 24, 2004, 34-31, in overtime. Cleveland leads the series, 31-14-1.

OFFENSE

Eagles

354.8 yards per game (7th)

Browns

267.8 yards per game (28th)

Quarterback

Eagles

After throwing five interceptions vs. the Bengals and Ravens, Donovan McNabb hasn't had any in the last two games. He'll need to be as protective of the ball against a Cleveland defense that already has picked off 19 passes. McNabb's sudden willingness to run has helped the offense move the chains.

Browns

With both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn on the shelf, the Browns are down to Ken Dorsey, who will be making just his 12th start in six seasons. Dorsey, who doesn't have a very strong arm, won't throw down the field much. Fourteen of his 22 completions last week vs. Titans were to backs and tight ends.

Pick: Eagles

Running back

Eagles

With his knee and ankle feeling better the last two games, Brian Westbrook had back-to-back 100-yard games and averaged 4.38 yards per carry. The four games before that, he averaged 3.04. Eagles have run the ball 81 times in the last two games. They have converted their last four third-and-1 opportunities.

Browns

At 29, with nearly 2,500 career carries, Jamal Lewis doesn't have much tread left. He's averaging just 3.5 yards per carry and had just 7 yards on seven carries last week vs. the Titans. Jerome Harrison, a poor man's Brian Westbrook, is averaging an impressive 8.8 yards per touch.

Pick: Eagles

Receiver

Eagles

Eagles wisely have cut down on the mixing and matching of wideouts, which seems to have improved the rhythm in the passing game. Odd man out is Reggie Brown. TE L.J. Smith hasn't been much of a factor in the passing game, but had a season-high six catches last week vs. the Giants.

Browns

Braylon Edwards caught 80 passes last year, including 16 for TDs, but can't hang on to the ball this season. He's near the top of the league in drops. Ex-Eagle Donte Stallworth has been a major can't-stay-healthy bust and TE Kellen Winslow has a high ankle sprain and probably won't play tonight.

Pick: Eagles

Offensive line

Eagles

This unit has been solid in pass-protection all season, allowing just 18 sacks in 519 pass plays. But it proved against the Giants that it can run-block as well, as the Eagles ran a season-high 41 times against the league's fifth-ranked run defense. C Jamaal Jackson will be challenged by NT Shaun Rogers.

Browns

This has been a pretty good pass-blocking unit. Browns QBs have been sacked just 16 times. But it has come up small in the run game. T Joe Thomas and G Eric Steinbach form a solid left side, but an early, season-ending injury to RT Ryan Tucker was a killer. Replacement Kevin Shaffer hasn't played well.

Pick: Eagles

DEFENSE

Eagles

280.4 yards per game (4th)

Browns

359.3 yards per game (27th)

Defensive line

Eagles

Because this unit has managed to stay fairly healthy, Jim Johnson has been able to rotate players and keep this unit fresh. DTs Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson have essentially become first- and second-down players and the fewer snaps showed in their impressive play vs. Giants.

Browns

Offseason acquisitions of DTs Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams haven't had the impact the Browns expected. While Rogers has played well, Williams has been underwhelming. A rush tackle in Green Bay's 4-3 scheme, he has struggled as a 3-4, two-gap end in Cleveland's 3-4 alignment.

Pick: Eagles

Linebacker

Eagles

This young, athletic unit turned in its finest collective performance against the Giants. All three are aggressive run defenders, and the weakside switch from Omar Gaither to Akeem Jordan appears to have strengthened their coverage ability. Giants TEs and RBs had just two catches for 7 yards last week.

Browns

Browns have just 15 sacks and this unit has only eight of them. Kamerion Wimbley had 11 sacks as a rookie in '06, but has managed just eight more since then, including three this season. The fact that 37-year-old Willie McGinest still is a three-down player tells you all you need to know about it.

Pick: Eagles

Secondary

Eagles

Since Joselio Hanson moved to the nickel corner spot in Week 6, the Eagles have held opposing QBs to 5.99 yards per attempt and a .533 completion percentage. SS Quintin Mikell is playing at a Pro Bowl level. He leads the team in tackles, has three interceptions, four forced fumbles, two sacks and seven hurries.

Browns

Browns are second in the league in interceptions with 19, including 11 by their four starters in the secondary. But they're also allowing 7.59 yards per attempt. Romeo Crennel plays a lot of Cover-2. But the corners – Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald - aren't particularly good in press coverage.

Pick: Eagles

Special teams

Eagles

The Eagles need to get their protection problems straightened out on the field-goal unit. David Akers has had three attempts blocked this season, including two last week vs. Giants. Eagles' coverage units will be tested by the Browns' dangerous return man, Josh Cribbs.

Browns

PK Phil Dawson has one of the league's top legs. The guy kicks on the shores of Lake Erie and has made eight of 11 from 40-plus yards, including 56-, 54- and 52-yarders. Josh Cribbs is one of the league's best return men. He finished first in the league in kickoff returns and third in punt returns last season.

Pick: Browns

Domowitch's prediction: Eagles 24, Browns 9

Hot and Not

Hot

Eagles: RB Brian Westbrook. Is coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances vs. Giants and Cardinals.

Browns: LB D'Qwell Jackson. Has led the Browns in tackles in each of the last nine games.

Not

Eagles: WR DeSean Jackson. Didn't have a reception in Giants game. It's the first time this season he was held without a catch.

Browns: RB Jamaal Lewis. Is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, and was held to 7 yards on seven carries vs. Titans.

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles C Jamaal Jackson vs. Browns NT Shaun Rogers: Rogers hasn't been as effective in a 3-4 as he was in a 4-3, but he's still very good. Advantage: Browns

2. Eagles' coverage units vs. Browns PR/KR Josh Cribbs: Cribbs is a threat to take it all the way every time he gets his hands on the ball. Advantage: Browns

3. Eagles RDE Trent Cole vs. Browns LT Joe Thomas: This battle is worth the price of admission. Advantage: Eagles