Philadelphia Eagles vs Cleveland Browns: Watch Live Stream Online, Prediction, Preview, Michael Vick Will Sit Out Eagles Third Preseason Game
In the midst of a grueling three games in 10 days stretch, the Philadelphia Eagles square off against the Cleveland Browns Friday night at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The preseason game kicks-off at 7:30pm eastern time, and you can watch streaming online here.
Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick played only six downs before leaving after a vicious hit to the ribs in the Eagles' 27-17 victory over the New England Patriots Monday night. Eagles head coach Andy Reid took Vick out for the rest of the game as a precaution. X-Rays were negative on Vick's ribs, but he will sit out the game as Nick Foles will start.
Foles took over for Vick and completed 18-of-28 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns with one interception against New England. Receiver Desean Jackson caught four passes for 82 yards, and tight end Clay Harbor had six receptions for 30 yards and two touchdowns.
In order to keep Vick in games, Philadelphia will have to shore up the problems on its offensive line. The Eagles will start left tackle King Dunlap over Demetress Bell. Dunlap, who has been heavily scrutinized since joing the Eagles, has outplayed Bell. Philadelphia signed Bell in free agency to replace injured offensive tackle Jason Peters.
Philadelphia's quick turnaround between games could be an advantage for the rebuilding Browns.
Cleveland's secondary led the way for an impressive 35-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers last week, picking off three passes including one for a 38-yard touchdown return by rookie safety David Sims.
Sims now has two interceptions in the preseason and as a team the Browns have tallied five picks so far. Cleveland, who was second in the NFL allowing 184.9 passing yards per game in 2011, looks to build on the secondary's early success against Philadelphia.
Cleveland also envisions big things from this year's draft class. The Browns' first-round draft pick Trent Richardson will not play for the rest of the preseason, but is expected to play in the Week 1 regular season opener. Earlier this month, the former Heisman candidate and Arkansas running back underwent arthroscopic knee surgery for the second time this year and has not practiced since.
The Browns have split carries between three running backs in Richardson's absence. Against Green Bay, Montario Hardesty, Brandon Jackson and Adonis Thomas combined for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries. Hardesty, in his third year from Tennessee, will start his third straight game Friday against the Eagles.
None of their running backs will be very productive unless Cleveland can improve its offensive line. Cleveland selected rookie Mitchell Schwartz from California to upgrade a line that ranked 28th in rushing yards with 95.7 yards per game. Schwartz has had difficulty with his footwork in training camp, but needs to learn quickly to help Cleveland establish its running game.
Cleveland's other top draft choice, Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden, faces one of the most talented secondary's in the league against Philadelphia. Weeden bounced back from a poor game against Detroit, and went 12-for-20 for 180 yards against the Packers.
Weeden's main targets are wide receiver Greg Little and rookie Bert Reed. Little led the Browns with 61 receptions for 709 yards and two touchdowns in 2011. The North Carolina product amassed four receptions for 45 yards against Green Bay, after he was targeted only once against Detroit.
Undrafted out of Florida State, Reed leads the Browns with 55 yards receiving on four catches in the preseason.
Prediction: Week 3 preseason games are more like regular seasons, so Cleveland's pass defense could give Foles fits if they are in top-form. Weeden has impressed coaches with his ability to read and adjust to defenses, but Philadelphia will be his toughest test yet.
Predicted Score: Cleveland 24, Philadelphia 10
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