Lane Johnson calls out Eagles Offense after ‘constipated’ 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns

When it comes to honesty, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson doesn’t hold back. After a gritty but uninspiring 20-16 win over the Browns, he didn’t mince words: “We’re a constipated offense. That’s what it feels like.” And he wasn’t alone in that sentiment.

Bad Vibes at Lincoln Financial Field

The vibe at Lincoln Financial Field was far from electric. Even with the victory, fans voiced their frustrations throughout the game, especially during another uninspired opening drive that left the Eagles scoreless in the first quarter.

This trend is becoming all too familiar for a team expected to perform at a higher level.

WATCH: Nick Sirianni shrugs off Eagles slow starts, says they’ll ‘figure it out’

Nick Sirianni Faces the Music

Head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t escape scrutiny either. It took just three questions for reporters to inquire about the Eagles’ sluggish starts. Philadelphia’s passionate fan base has high standards, and after yet another three-and-out on the first drive—despite an extra week to prepare—the boos echoed through the stands.

Sirianni attempted to shift the blame, saying, “You keep discussing it. The defense began strong, right?” But he felt the crowd’s frustration was clear.

WATCH: Nick Sirianni yells at Eagles fans from the sideline after less-than-stellar 20-16 win over the Browns

Sirianni unexpectedly brought his kids to the podium during his postgame press conference, showing vulnerability despite the criticism. He was aware of the jeers from the stands. Later, he had a difficult talk with team owner Jeffrey Lurie, who can easily identify a struggling team.

“It’s damn hard to win in this league,” Sirianni admitted. “We have to stay hungry and humble, looking at what went wrong. Did we play like a championship-level team today? No, not at all. Mistakes fall on me first.” [Inky]

How Sirianni navigates his relationships with players behind closed doors is crucial. He’s known as a demanding coach, but the ongoing mistakes suggest a disconnect that has lingered since last season.

On the defensive side, Vic Fangio’s unit held the Browns to just nine points, but let’s be real—they were up against one of the league’s worst quarterbacks behind a patchwork offensive line.

Special teams issues persisted, as Michael Clay’s unit allowed a blocked kick returned for a touchdown just before halftime. Myles Garrett’s athleticism played a role, but can we really give credit to a 1-5 Cleveland team barely hanging on?

The Browns’ defense, though talented with stars like Garrett, was missing key players, including a fourth-string safety and former Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks.

The anticipated return of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith was supposed to spark the offense, and to an extent, it did. Brown recorded six receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown, while Smith contributed three catches, including the game-winning 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. Johnson did an excellent job keeping Garrett off Jalen Hurts, who didn’t get sacked.

Despite these highlights, the offense still struggled to find its rhythm. Hurts managed just one trip into the red zone, leading Smith to say, “We’re definitely leaving points out there.” He added, “You can’t complain about winning when you know you can play better.”

Smith’s frustration isn’t new; he voiced similar sentiments last season, even during a strong 10-1 start. This time, he approached it with a more mature perspective, saying, “You have to learn how to be grateful,” indicating that he understands there’s still time to improve.

While the Eagles have plenty of time to find their identity, they need to do it quickly. As Smith pointed out, the explosive playmaking that defined their previous season feels like a distant memory. “We know teams aren’t going to give us easy looks,” he explained. “So, we have to be patient.” [Inky]

Despite some positives—like Hurts avoiding turnovers for the first time this season and backup tight end Grant Calcaterra stepping up with four catches for 67 yards—questions remain about the offensive scheme. There were signs of Kellen Moore’s influence, but the rushing attack struggled, and Hurts often leaned too heavily on deep throws.

Sirianni’s involvement in play-calling also raises eyebrows. He took the blame for a key play that led to Hurts being sacked just before halftime. “That was on me,” he clarified, admitting that a defensive call he made also backfired.

The connection between Hurts and Brown for a critical 40-yard gain was a risk that paid off, but the offense’s chaotic moments suggest something isn’t quite clicking.

Lane Johnson summed up the frustration perfectly: “Yeah, we’re definitely frustrated. We have a lot of talent, yet we’re making these games closer than they need to be. We need to prove what we’re capable of.” [Inky]

The Eagles have time to break through, but the clock is ticking. They need to harness their talent and find a way to make it work before it’s too late.

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