Jalen Hurts throws 2 TD passes as the Eagles hold off the Browns 20-16

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Perhaps indignant that Eagles fans had chanted for his firing, Nick Sirianni could not button up his mouth in the final seconds. Philadelphia's coach — already a habitual trash-talking offender — put a finger to his right ear and chirped at fans in the first rows at the Linc.

Yes, after the Eagles eked out a four-point win against the dysfunctional Browns, Sirianni felt the need to talk smack, providing social media and tabloid fodder about a coach whose job security is up for daily debate and who — even in victory — won’t win any popularity contests in Philadelphia.

“Just excited to get the win,” Sirianni said. “Appreciate the Linc support.”

He had to appreciate the Eagles' offense a bit more.

Jalen Hurts threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, including a go-ahead 45-yard toss to DeVonta Smith in the fourth quarter, and Philadelphia beat Cleveland 20-16 on Sunday.

Hurts also threw a 22-yard TD to A.J. Brown, who returned along with Smith after both wide receivers missed time with injuries. The Eagles can't afford to lose either for any more lengthy stretches if they want to make a deep postseason run.

Coming off a bye, the already maddening Eagles (3-2) had to tough one out against the Browns (1-5) in front of a mostly listless crowd. Before Smith's TD, Eagles fans only showed some fire when they chanted for Sirianni to get fired.

Sirianni said several players told him, “We need you back, Nick. We need your energy. We need your focus.”

“I encourage him to be himself. That's who he is,” Hurts said.

Trailing 20-13, the Browns moved into Eagles territory late in the game, only to settle for Dustin Hopkins’ 31-yard field goal. Deshaun Watson was pushed out of bounds at the 2-yard line on a scramble, and he threw incomplete on third down.

The Eagles took over with 3:54 remaining and didn't let Cleveland get the ball back, with Hurts finding Brown for a 40-yard gain to put the game away.

Sirianni promised changes coming out of the bye week and he delivered -- the fourth-year coach shaved his head.

On the field, it was mostly the same old Eagles, who turned running back Saquon Barkley into a bystander, couldn’t get Hurts to consistently connect with his star receivers, and had shoddy execution -- notably on special teams.

The saving grace? They played the Browns.

Watson’s dismal play did not nothing to quiet the calls that the team’s $230 million quarterback should be benched. He finished 16 of 23 for 168 yards, and the Browns failed to score an offensive touchdown — they still haven't scored 20 points in a game this season.

“We're putting ourselves in the danger zone for not being to accomplish what we want to accomplish,” Watson said.

Cleveland got its only touchdown on a blocked field goal by All-Pro Myles Garrett that Rodney McLeod Jr. scooped and returned untouched to the end zone. Watson was sacked three times and threw for just 49 yards in the first half.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who decided last week he’ll hang on to play-calling duties, has been steadfast in his commitment to Watson, who is in the third season of a fully guaranteed, five-year contract.

Stefanski said after the game he would stick with Watson, even as the Browns appear to have no chance of repeating the playoff run they made last year behind then-backup Joe Flacco.

“I know the guys are fighting like crazy, and I appreciate that, but we've got to find a way to get a win against a good opponent,” Stefanski said. “We had our opportunities and did not come through.”

Brown had six catches for 116 yards and the score after he missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. Smith had three catches for 64 yards after he sat out a game with a concussion.

“I haven't played football in a month, so the little things I have to focus on, I have to focus on,” Brown said. “Make sure I'm really running instead of just looking up for the ball.”

After a scoreless first quarter for the fifth game this season, Jake Elliott broke through with a 49-yard field goal. The Eagles found a rare offensive spark on their next drive: Hurts to Grant Calcaterra for 34 yards, Hurts to Brown for 16 yards, and Hurts to Brown for a 22-yard strike that made it 10-0.

Dustin Hopkins kicked a 43-yarder for the Browns, making it 10-3.

The Eagles seemed poised to nurse a small lead headed into halftime when Elliott lined up for a 57-yard attempt. Garrett got his hand on the ball when he jumped over Tyler Steen — a nice effort for a 6-foot-4, 272-pounder — for the block. Former Eagles safety McLeod scooped the loose ball and ran 50 yards for the score, topped with a somersault into the end zone, to tie it 10-all with 14 seconds left in the half.

Eagles fans, fed up with Sirianni since last season’s late collapse, booed the team off the field. The really angry ones started a “Fire Nick!” chant, while those at home mused on social media if a coach could get fired at halftime.

“We thrive off the crowd when they cheer for us. That's all I'll say,” Sirianni said.

Browns: C Nick Harris was carted off the field with an ankle injury on the opening drive. Third-stringer Michael Dunn replaced Harris. RB Jerome Ford suffered a hamstring injury. Harris only got the start because starter Ethan Pocic was inactive with a knee injury. Pocic was out along with safeties Grant Delpit (concussion) and Ronnie Hickman (ankle).

Eagles: TE Dallas Goedert suffered a hamstring injury. CB Darius Slay left with a knee injury. OT Jordan Mailata left in the fourth, also with a hamstring injury.

Browns: Host Cincinnati next Sunday.

Eagles: At the New York Giants next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks during a news conference with son Miles after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) brings down Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) is lifted by Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) after Hurts threw a touchdown pass to Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrates his touchdown with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) can't make a catch in front of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles' Jake Elliott (4) kicks for an extra point during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) scores a touchdown in front of Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. (2) walks off the field after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) stops Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Cleveland Browns safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) takes down Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) runs with the ball for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Lamar Jackson threw nine passes to Zay Flowers in the first half and never went to him again. Mark Andrews rebounded from a ball bouncing off his hands for an interception to catch his first touchdown pass of the season. And Derrick Henry was Derrick Henry.

The result was a dominant offensive performance as Jackson outshined rookie Jayden Daniels in a showdown between two of the NFL's best quarterbacks with 323 yards passing and 40 more rushing, and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Washington Commanders 30-23 on Sunday for their fourth consecutive victory.

“Just a pick your poison offense,” Jackson said.

Henry ran for 132 yards and his NFL-leading eighth and ninth TDs, Flowers set a career high with 132 yards receiving and Jackson moved into second on the career rushing list among QBs. Baltimore (4-2) mixed and matched the pass and run to near perfection.

“Guys are going to get their touches and get the ball and good things will happen, and that’s what happened today,” said Andrews, who tied Todd Heap for the most TD catches since the team moved to Baltimore with the 41st of his career. “We’re extremely versatile in what we’re doing, and we’re going to take this game, get better from it week by week and become the machine that we can be.”

Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin on two TD passes, but did not get nearly enough help from the backfield in a matchup of the two top rushing offenses in the league. With Brian Robinson Jr. out because of a knee injury, Washington (4-2) got just 52 yards on the ground.

“B-Rob is a great player, but it’s next man up,” Daniels said. “We have to go out there and do our job.”

The Commanders' defense struggled to contain Jackson and Henry, allowing Baltimore to rack up 484 yards, and their winning streak ended at four with a loss at the hands of an opponent that is starting to look like the legitimate Super Bowl contender it was expected to be.

“We got so many guys that can make plays, a lot of guys are getting the chances, getting the ball and being able to showcase their talents," said Henry, who became the first player to rush for a TD in each of his first six games since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2005. "That’s what you want as an offense.”

The masterclass by the Ravens included scoring drives of 93 and 94 yards, the second of which became the difference in the game when Henry scored from 7 yards out late in the third quarter.

"Those two drives were much needed," Flowers said. “I feel like we needed those drives to set the tone that this offense is going to keep going all game and we’re just going to keep scoring, either running or passing.”

Struggles defending against the pass continued, with Daniels going 24 of 35 for 269 yards, but again Baltimore was able to outscore its problems. Coach John Harbaugh called it the ultimate team win.

“All three phases contributed to the win when they had to,” Harbaugh said. “Guys answered today in a lot of ways.”

Asked afterward if he thought the game showed the Ravens have the best offense in football, Jackson shrugged off that notion because there's still a lot of season to go.

“We’re just proving we can win games,” said Jackson who completed 20 of his 26 passes. “There’s always room for improvement.”

Ravens: LB Malik Harrison (groin), CB Arthur Maulet (knee and hamstring) and DE Broderick Washington (knee) were inactive.

Commanders: DT Jonathan Allen was ruled out early in the fourth quarter with a pectoral injury. ... DE Dorance Armstrong left in the second with a rib injury. ... DE Clelin Ferrell missed a fourth consecutive game with a knee injury.

Commanders: Host the Carolina Panthers next Sunday.

Ravens: Visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 21.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown is unable to catch a pass as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins, right, commits pass interference during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) is congratulated by Jordan Stout after making a 39-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson scrambles during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, left, talks with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson following an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. The Ravens won 30-23. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) celebrates after catching a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, right, is congratulated by quarterback Jayden Daniels after catching a 6-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) scores past Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin and safety Jeremy Chinn, right, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, left, is congratulated by Roger Rosengarten after scoring on a 7-yard run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) scores on a touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) scores on a 7-yard run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs for a 33-yard gain as Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin (20) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) hands off to running back Derrick Henry, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws as Washington Commanders linebacker Dante Fowler Jr (6) defends during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)