Cleveland Browns vs Philadelphia Eagles

The Cleveland Browns earned a confidence-boosting 22–13 preseason win over the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, with both teams showcasing their depth rather than leaning on their established stars. The game unfolded as an early opportunity for rookies and rotational players to make their mark, and Cleveland seized that chance with a balanced mix of poise and defensive opportunism.

All eyes were on rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, making his NFL debut after being cleared from a minor hamstring issue. He opened the game with a flawless drive, going 4-for-4 before Ahmani Marshall capped it off with a short touchdown run. While Gabriel’s rhythm briefly broke with a pick-six and a fumbled handoff, he showed resilience by bouncing back in the second half, guiding the Browns to a long field goal drive and flashing the command that Cleveland coaches had hoped to see.

Defensively, the Browns made their statement through playmaking. The turning point came when K.J. Henry intercepted a pass and stormed 45 yards for a touchdown, electrifying the sideline and giving Cleveland the lead. Philadelphia’s rookies answered with impact plays of their own—Andrew Mukuba scored on a 75-yard interception return and added a fumble recovery, while Jihaad Campbell recorded a key sack that highlighted the Eagles’ promising young defensive core.

On the ground, Cleveland leaned into Pierre Strong Jr. and Ahmani Marshall to control the tempo. Strong posted close to 90 rushing yards, consistently finding lanes, while Marshall not only scored but showed burst that could earn him more preseason carries. Special teams also contributed to the momentum, with Dustin Hopkins and Andre Szmyt knocking in field goals from 46 and 49 yards to keep the scoreboard moving when drives stalled.

By the final whistle, the Browns left Philadelphia with more than just a win—they left with evidence that their rookie quarterback has the tools to grow into a reliable option and that their defensive depth can swing games. For the Eagles, the loss was secondary to the flashes of talent shown by their first-year defenders, a reminder that even in defeat, the foundation of the future was visible. Preseason or not, the matchup delivered a showcase of grit, growth, and glimpses of what both franchises could bring to the 2025 season.