Head Coach Kevin Stefanski Cleveland Browns Vs. Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-20

Head Coach Kevin Stefanski Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-20

Head Coach Kevin Stefanski: Opening statement: “Injuries, (S) Ronnie Harrison (Jr.) hurt his knee there. We will see what that is. We will get an MRI on that, and I will have an update for you tomorrow. Other than that, came out of that thing healthy otherwise.

“Nice team win. Really thought the defense set the tempo in that game – three takeaways, scoring on defense, five sacks, OV (DE Olivier Vernon) having three of them. I thought (CB) Denzel Ward was outstanding – four PBUs and a pick himself. The guys were flying around. I thought they did a great job. Really proud of those guys. Offensively, hard yards, and that is what it called for today. I thought the guys by and large were pretty good. It was not clean, not going to be. On special teams, I thought the guys did a good job. (P) Jamie (Gillan) was really good today. We played the field position battle when necessary. Made all our kicks… Well, I guess we had one blocked. Bottom line is the guys did a great job. There is no such thing as an ugly win. That was a beautiful win for the guys. We just have to get ready and right back on it this week.”

On how the Browns defense played today and delivered big plays despite missing DE Myles Garrett: “Really proud of those guys. We talked all week, you lose a guy Myles’ caliber, you are not going to replace him. You need guys to step up, and it is a committee approach. I thought the guys really played hard. (DE) Porter Gustin gave us some great rushes. I thought (DE) Adrian Clayborn did the same. I mentioned OV before. Really proud of those guys.”

On the difference in the Browns’ run game from the first to second half: “I think the guys stuck with it. We were searching for the right personnel group and searching for the right scheme versus them. That is a good run team. They played downhill until they were gassed. We knew it was not going to be easy. They come off the ball so we kind of were poking around looking for the right run scheme for our guys. I think we kind of unlocked it a little bit there at the end and were able to get again some hard yards. Not going to be easy versus that front.”

On LB Sione Takitaki’s pick-six and how the Browns defense stepped up to make big plays without Garrett: “I will start with Sione. Thank you for reminding me because he was a game captain today, and the reason for that is he is as tough as they come. He plays through injuries, and he just does his job. He plays his role, he plays it hard. He brings a physicality to our team. To see him make a play on the ball and go score was incredible. So proud of him. To see our defense get their hands on the ball and balls so often is a big deal. We knew we were going to have to go make those type of game-changing plays, and they showed up.”

On RB Nick Chubb’s 54-yard run and RB Kareem Hunt’s TD run: “Those two guys are pretty impressive. Nick runs hard. When it is not there, he is still churning those legs. When you get him into the secondary, he is a hard dude to bring down. To see Kareem, like you said, take off from the 5, nothing was stopping him from getting in the end zone. Really, those guys push each other. We have talked it about before, they push each other, they root for each other and it is a sight to be seen.”

On the weather conditions today compared to the past two games: “Much more moisture in this one. The wind was not a factor, but it was wet. That ball, especially if it was sitting out there for a little while and the umpire was not standing on it, it was slick. (QB) Baker (Mayfield)

fought through it and the center (C JC Tretter) obviously fought through it, but there were moments where that ball was very slick, but the wind was not a factor.”

On Vernon’s standout performance: “With Myles out, we were counting on those guys to step up. OV, he did it today. He was defeating his blockers in run game. Like you mentioned, he was getting to the quarterback. We are counting on him. I told him that. He knows that. We are counting on him to continue to affect the passer in the pass game and make big plays in the run game.”

On if the Browns gathered intel for the running game in the first half despite not being as successful as desired: “Yeah, I think you are gathering intel, regardless of run or pass. There are so many formations where it may be a pass, but we are looking at the formation to see if the run is there and vice versa. We are trying to have constant communication throughout the game. AVP (offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt), (offensive line coach) Bill Callahan and the entire offensive staff does a great job of having that communication because when you do run into a front like that and you are trying a couple schemes and you trying a couple different personnel groupings and it is not working, you are just constantly looking for what is the answer. We found it a few times there in the end. Ultimately, I think that is a really good run defense. I think they pin their ears back, they defeat blocks and they come off the ball. With that coupled with the conditions, it was going to be tough sledding, and it was.”

On utilizing RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt together late in the game to wear down the opposing defense in back-to-back games: “It just speaks to we really want to have that lead in the fourth – I think every team does – but if we can get that lead in the fourth, then we can throw Nick out there and throw Kareem out there, and it is a really good one-two punch that is hard to defend. We are trying to get into that four-minute offense so that we can really oppose our will, and that is really where our offensive line wants to be. You talk to that offensive line, one of their favorite moments is when they know they are in a four-minute and the other team knows we are running it, and that is the type of game they want to play in.”

On the Browns run defense making adjustments throughout the game: “Just listening to (defensive coordinator) Joe (Woods) and the defensive staff talk and making adjustments and moving the front at times, changing the coverage at times and using some run blitzes. You have to always be talking throughout the game and trying to figure out what the answer is. Sometimes they are going to break through on one, and you just have to tackle. I think for the most part, our tackling was pretty good today.”

On the Browns defense’s forced fumble inside the 5-yard line helping set the tone for the game: “That was a big deal. This offense that we faced today, they have different ways they can beat you and they are an outstanding red zone football team – offense and defense. When they got down there, we were looking to make a play. There are those moments and there are those drives where people move the ball on us, but if we can get a stop or if we can get a turnover in those moments, it is so huge to the outcome of the game.”

On if Chubb was not on the first goal line opportunity due to his contacts as reported on the TV broadcast: “I think so, but I will say this, I trust Kareem down there and felt good about what we did.”

On Kareem scoring on his second goal line opportunity while running with a ‘would not be denied’ mentality: “He really was. The guys got out in the perimeter. (G) Wyatt (Teller) had a big block. Kareem had a nose for the end zone, and he would not be denied.”

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QB Baker Mayfield Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-20

QB Baker Mayfield: On the Browns defense making big plays despite Myles Garrett being out: “Yeah, obviously that is not a one-man job to fill those shoes. I know that is probably the most cliché thing, but it is just the truth. We had a ton of guys step up. When they knew that Myles was out, they knew they had to get funky on the field, and just like an old batch of collard greens, they just played well together.”

On if the defense fed off each other when they were making big plays: “Absolutely. You could tell their energy was extremely high. They could sense in the weather games they were able to be really aggressive and make those plays. Hats off to those guys. They played unbelievable.”

On how hard it was to throw the ball and catch the ball in the rain: “Normally, it is really not too bad in the rain games because you are able to sub the ball in and out, but there were a few times where it was just sitting there in the rain and it got pretty wet. No excuses, but still, it is pretty tough to throw a soaking wet ball. It is definitely harder to catch it in the rain. Unless you have the true rain weather gloves on, they are going to be pretty slick.”

On his play during today’s weather game compared to previous weather games with high winds: “There are definitely a few plays that I would love to have back today – there is no doubt about that – but we have consistently for the most part taken care of the ball in these bad weather games. That is the key to winning those. We have done a good job of that. We can learn from these and obviously get better on some of it, but you just have to deal with the climates. Both teams have to adjust and adapt, and we just did a good job taking care of the ball today.”

On RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt during the TD drive in the fourth quarter: “We have the best backfield in the league. There is no question. Those guys are top five backs each, and there is something special. We have great guys up front and our tight ends are involved in that run game, but those two guys are extremely special. I get more excited when Nick and Kareem make great plays than when I do just to be quite honest with you guys. I love watching those guys run. I’m very happy to have them on our team. Whatever it takes to win, I don’t care if that’s handing the ball off every single time. We are happy to go 1-0 each week. We have two great backs.”

On the advantage of having Chubb and Hunt together to wear down defenses: “We have done a great job of sticking with the plan in the first half of some of these bad weather games. Haven’t been great and teams are competing with the run game. We are able to stick with the plan in the second half, and these guys are breaking tackles. Like we said, they feed off of each other. It is somewhat fresh legs in the second half whereas these guys are still trying to tackle them the whole game. They feed off each other, but today was a great example of some of those runs that didn’t pop early on that did late in the game.”

On the Eagles limiting the run game in the first half: “They were just the more physical team in the first half. They had some good stuff called. They were pretty aggressive. I think that’s where our keeper game kind of kept them off balance. Some of our

cadence, we had them jumping a little bit on their toes. We just realized that if we stuck to the plan and used all those things that the run game was eventually going to hit. Don’t get away from it just because it is not working in the first half.”

On sticking to the gameplan this season: “If you overthink it, it is pretty easy to get away from the plan. Our staff is doing a great job of just sticking to what we are really good at, and that is our run game and our play-action game. When we need it, we can absolutely hit on that stuff. That is the great part about it. We are not getting away from the plan. We are trusting exactly what we have planned throughout the week. It is our gameplan that we are just sticking with and running and executing when we need to.”

On if Head Coach Kevin Stefanski’s demeanor and calmness translates to the Browns offense’s confidence: “I think our confidence is building offensively for sure. Obviously, the defense speaks for itself. When we are able to go in at halftime and realize we are very close to some of these runs popping and some of these being really big plays and just being able to take a deep breath and just evaluate where we are at and come in with the plan of attack, we are pretty good at adjusting.”

On how frustrating it was to come up short at the goal line in the first half and RB Kareem Hunt’s TD run in the second half: “He was pretty mad at himself early in the game when we did not convert, even we had two chances to throw a touchdown before that. He was mad at himself for not getting in just based on the effort. Yeah, he was not going to let anybody deny him late in the game.”

On Hunt’s hurdle on the TD run: “It was like he never stops going up. I mean he jumped and just kept levitating. It is like a Super Mario double- bounce. I do not know.”

On how nice it was to throw deep today and how important that will be moving forward: “It is huge for us just to be able to keep defenses on their toes and just all of those were off to play-action shots. We are making stuff look similar to run and pass. These guys are doing a good job of just securing the ball for us in these weather games. It is a huge part of our offense.”

On LB Sione Takitaki’s pick-six: “(CB) Denzel (Ward) came in and got contact on (Eagles QB) Carson (Wentz) and made the ball get up in the air a little bit. Taki being able to secure that ball, not lose stride and go score that, that created the spark for us because we were a little bit at a stalemate on offense, so that was huge.”

On how important the recent wins are even if they looked ‘ugly’ at times: “We are worried about the singular focus. A win is a win. We will take it, no matter or however we get there. We will take it. The defense is playing lights out. You might call it ugly, but Coach Stefanski called it beautiful after the game. Complementary ball is what we did to accomplish that win today.”

On if the recent wins have shown the grit and resilience that the team needs down the stretch: “Yeah, I think when we have a singular focus and that singular mindset of just one game at a time and we can be pretty good. Not lose sight of the big picture, one game at a time but job is not finished yet.”

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CB Denzel Ward Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-20

CB Denzel Ward: On facing Eagles QB Carson Wentz: “We knew he had a very strong arm to make every throw. He had a lot of confidence. We knew that he would make a lot of throws to the field, as well. Just a strong arm. We knew that we were going to have to cover our guys and stay tight in coverage.”

On the Browns defense stepping up to make big plays despite not having DE Myles Garrett: “It says a lot. That has been our team all year just stepping up. Guys going down and next man in. A lot of guys have been stepping up making plays, and we needed that today, especially with Myles being out.”

On LB Sione Takitaki’s pick-six: “That was huge. He returned it for a touchdown. That was a game-changer in the game, and we needed it. He stepped up big for us.”

On whether Takitaki should give him the assist on the play due to his QB pressure: “Oh yeah, he definitely has to give me the assist.”

On the pick-six: “I just saw that they had blocked down so I added on and blitzed and was able to get there in time. Sione made a great play and picked it off and returned it for a touchdown.”

On whether he knew Takitaki would return it for a TD as soon as the INT happened: “No I didn’t see it. Once I looked back, I just saw him running down the sideline and then we were about to score.”

On DE Oliver Vernon and DE Adrian Clayborn playing their best games of the year when the team needed it the most: “It is huge. They made great plays during crucial moments of that game. Specifically like you said OV, he came in big for us and made plays.”

On whether today felt like one of his better games: “Yeah, I feel it was. I was just trying to stay consistent and do whatever I can to help my team win.”

On what it meant to get the interception right after the pass interference penalty in the fourth quarter: “It meant a lot. I felt that it was a terrible call, but it is all about just playing the next play. I felt that I did that on that play. Like I said, finding a way to help my team win and was able to come away with the takeaway.”

On the Brown showing resiliency throughout the season and taking over second place in the AFC North with the win and Ravens loss today: “It means a lot. Like you said, we are just taking one game at a time. We are not looking too far ahead. Come to the end of the season, we will see where we are and take it from there.”

On whether there was a moment leading up to today’s game where the Browns defense decided they would dedicate it to DE Myles Garrett and prove themselves: “No, I think everybody was just focused on coming in and doing their job. That was just the main focus is doing what we have to do on that field. Everything else took care of itself. We were able to come out with the win. Definitely looking forward to getting Myles back whenever we can. He is obviously a big addition to our team. Guys stepped up today and made plays.”

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RB Nick Chubb Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-2020

RB Nick Chubb: On how tough it was running the ball against Eagles defense: “It was really tough. We have to give credit to them. They definitely came to play, and I thought they played extremely hard. There was really nothing there. Maybe only once or twice we had an opening, everything else was blocked up. They played hard.”

On if he likes that Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has confidence to stick with the running game: “Yeah, I love it. That is our identity. We know it is going to be tough when everyone knows we are a running team for the most part. I think (QB) Baker (Mayfield) and the receivers definitely help us out a lot. When we needed one of those guys to make a play, they made it.”

On breaking off a big 54-yard run and his stiff arm on the play: “It felt good. That is what we are about. We keep plugging, we keep plugging and keep hitting it. We know one is going to come sooner or later, and it came at a perfect time.”

On RB Kareem Hunt’s leap into end zone: “It was amazing. I’m pretty sure he jumped from the 5-yard line and landed in the endzone. He is a great athlete and a great player. That is what you can expect when he is out there on the field.”

On if he knew Hunt had the vertical ability to jump that high: “Yeah, I remember when I was in college and watching him play. He was always leaping over guys so it was nothing new to me.”

On how proud he is that the team responded to win despite not having DE Myles Garrett: “Myles is a huge part of this team, and you can’t replace him. I think the defense did step up to the plate. OV (DE Olivier Vernon) had 3 sacks, and they had a lot of turnovers. You can’t ask for more. I think they did a great job.”

On the Browns’ perseverance and resiliency in in bad weather games: “We like to say that we are a resilient team. I think that is showing now playing in these weathers and these conditions. I’m looking forward to going to Florida next week to get some sunshine.”

On his vision on his longer runs and if it is a déjà vu feeling for those occurring at key moments late in games after wearing on an opposing defense: “The runs are coming later in the game so it could be that. They played great all four quarters. I can’t say we did anything great or better. I know that we made one good play on that, and it spit me out, which was great. I have to give credit to them. They played really hard.”

On the Browns’ ability to wear down the Eagles defense with him and Hunt sharing the workload: “That is who we are. Me and Kareem are going to [rotate] at running back and run the ball hard. That is what we do. That is how our team is designed as an offense for the whole game. We wear teams down.”

On the Ravens loss to the Titans today and the Browns currently being in second place in the AFC North: “That is huge, but we still have to focus on ourselves and keep getting wins. We will worry about them when they come here.”

On his success in bad weather games, given his comment about looking forward to sunshine in Florida next week: “I guess it’s working for me right now. I probably shouldn’t want to change something, but maybe it would be better in nicer weather. Who knows?”

On Stefanski trying different strategies to establish the run game: “You have to get a feel for it. I know the things we were running at first weren’t really working for us. They came out ready for whatever we had, and they played extremely hard. There were a few play calls I knew we could run, but some they had figured out a little bit. We stayed, and that is what I like about Coach Stefanski. He is not going to shy away from the run. He kept going and running the same plays, and we had to execute it.

On what the Browns have accomplished with run game in the second half of games and the team expecting to be successful with it in the second half: “That is exactly what we say coming out of halftime. We are going to keep wearing them down. We know sooner or later one should pop. The past few weeks, it has been popping later in the game. That is who we are. That is what we count on happening.”

On specific adjustments the Browns made in the second half of the game: “There were really no new adjustments. It was us just leaning on them and continuing to wear them down, trusting the run game until one pops.” # # #

DE Olivier Vernon Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-20

DE Olivier Vernon: On stepping up in DE Myles Garrett’s place and recording three sacks and a safety: “We all missed Myles. We wish he could have been out here playing. At the end of the day, everybody played as a team, made the stops when we had to and made the big plays when we had to. I am glad we are sitting at 7-3 right now.”

On if he has had a game this good in his career before: “Yeah, there are some highlights that I have had. At the end of the day, all I kept thinking was ‘Please just win this game.’ It really does not matter what you do inside the lines if you do not win. It was big that we got a big win, a big W against a good opponent. We are just trying to get it on a roll.”

On if he was thinking ‘safety all the way’ on his sack in the end zone and what he saw as the play unfolded: “Basically, we had a couple of good stops right before it happened and then ended up just making a play. We thought they were going to come with the gameplan trying to run it out of there. We did not think they were going to and pass, especially with the conditions that were going on with the weather. It just ended up going our way.”

On if he had any conversations with Garrett about the Browns defense making plays in his absence: “I sent him a text to get right. I had somebody close at home that caught COVID so I know how serious it is. I just shot him a text, ‘Keep your head up and try to get better.’ This thing is not anything to play around with for anybody to get. I am just glad we got the W and looking forward to next week.”

On if the Browns defense had Garrett’s absence in the back of their minds and knew they would have to step up and contribute: “The mindset was going out there, everybody playing as a team and getting the W. I think that was everybody’s mindset. We ended up doing that. Now, we are sitting at 7-3 so I think everybody is just happy at the moment and trying to build up this momentum.”

On if the Browns DL got together before the game to talk about stepping up or if that goes unsaid: “At the end of the day, the rest of the guys can make plays, as well. We have guys that can make plays. We had a good week of practice, and everybody knew what we needed to do. We came out and executed and everybody came together as a team, especially as a D line.”

On if he is feeling healthier than he did in the first half of the season: “Yeah, I feel a whole lot better. It is football. You are going to deal with nicks and everything like that. I am glad that the majority of our team is pretty healthy. That is what you need, especially coming towards the end of the line with the season and trying to make a run for the playoffs.”

On if he thought he would be back with the Browns this season and why he agreed to a contract restructuring: “At the end of the day, I saw this team had a lot of potential. How everything unfolded last year, it did not really go our way. We had too much talent, and we wasted last year. One thing that is hard to do is get a win, and the next hardest thing is get into the playoffs. I think my mindset and everybody else in this organization’s mindset right now is to get into the playoffs and trying to make something. Just have to get into the

tournament. It starts Week 1 and every week after that. Leading up to the season, just seeing the potential that we had and guys that are really hungry and guys that are tired of losing, I am just glad to be a part of it.”

On playing in the rain and if those conditions favor pass rushers or the OL: “I am from Miami so I love playing in the rain, minus the cold weather. It changed the aspect of the offense and what they try to run. It starts to change it to a more physical change. The offense tries to get it started with the run game and tries to get the ball moving and get the momentum going on their side. Credit to them, they came in here putting up a good fight, and we just ended up finishing it off and made the plays we needed to make. Just glad we got the win.”

On if his familiarity with Eagles T Jason Peters helped today: “Going into each week and going one on one, you want to win your one on ones no matter who it is. Me and Jason, we have had great battles, especially when I was in New York. Always respect and love him as player and as an opponent. Just try to do my job and guys have my back. We just pulled it out and got the win.”

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Raiders LB Nick Kwiatkoski: On the weather conditions, the success in the run game on offense and the defense coming up with necessary stops and playing a physical game: “Yeah, absolutely. I used to play in countless games in this type of weather. They are fun games, but weather definitely plays a factor in game plans and it comes down to being tough, stopping run, getting the ball out, things like hat. So, I mean, definitely a fun one.”

On making changes on defense this week and what changes worked: “There were a lot of different small tweaks here and there to just pinpoint one. We do a lot of different stuff throughout the game. So, have to go back and watch film to really answer that question. But after that, watch the film and kind of carry what we did well into the next game, correct what we did wrong and go from there.”

On how big Raiders S Lamarucs Joyner was on the last drive: “He was huge. The whole he makes play. He is a physical presence out there playing nickel. Making plays in the run game, pass game.”

On how the defense was able to hold it together and only give up 6 points: “Kind of what I said before, taking things from previous games. We have made mistakes and taking the good things we did and carrying them on. Building each week in practice. Emphasizing different things, turnovers, or the run game each week. Just putting those emphasis week by week and building on the good things.”

On if he gets the sense the HC Jon Gruden enjoys these types of games: “Yeah. I mean, he kind of preaches to us finishing. That is kind of what this game was. The weather played a factor. It was a lot of run, downhill runs, boots, thing like that. It is a grind.”

On how big of a focus the defense put on forcing turnover: “That is kind of an emphasis for us every week. Turnover battles win games. But, for us to a turnover early in the game is huge, giving our offense an opportunity. Get them off the field. During that time they were moving down the field. So, any time we can get off the field and give our offense an opportunity it is huge.”

On if they came out of last week with a chip on their shoulders: “Yeah, absolutely. It is one of those things, like you take a loss, correct the things and move on. You can’t really harp on losses or wins. You have a game the following week. You just have to take the film and move on.”

On the impact Raiders S Johnathan Abram makes: “Yeah, he is a guy who does it all. On and off the field he is a leader. He is vocal. When he comes down making plays in the run game it is huge for us as linebackers with that help. Also, in the pass rush. When he gets an opportunity he loves to blitz. Any time you can get him on a quarterback it is great.”

On what he saw on the Raiders fumble recovery: “It was a tight end screen. Really, I kind of in the trail position. I had an opportunity to just swipe the ball, I tried to get it and I had no idea that it popped out until after the play.”

Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-2020

Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson: On whether he considered pulling Eagles QB Carson Wentz for QB Jalen Hurts at any point, and if he would make that move at some point: “With the way the game was going, the elements and we were really just a score from putting ourselves back into this football game, I did not consider that.”

On why a timeout was not called after the sack by Eagles DE Josh Sweat before halftime: “Honestly, I do not recall the play. I know we were trying to save timeouts to get the ball back, possibly, and use the timeouts on offense. There was a reasoning, I just cannot think of the reasoning right now. We discussed it. Listen, ask me tomorrow, because I will definitely give you a better answer tomorrow. Sorry about that.”

On whether Eagles T Jason Peters was benched or took himself out: “No, I did not [bench him]. He had kind of injured himself so he had come out.”

On whether Wentz will start next week and if there is any question about it: “Yes. He is our starter. No question about it. He is our starter.”

On this being the ninth different starting offensive line and its effect on the offense as a whole: “It is difficult. Part of the offensive line is having that group together – all five guys. We just have not had that this season and it is hard to get that continuity and that consistency up front. It is a challenge. The thing with the O-line is that these guys rely on each other and the more they play together, the more they anticipate what a defense might present. Any time you have as many moving pieces as we have had, it throws that rhythm out. So it has been a challenge this season, no question.”

On what the message to the team was after this loss and what needs to change: “The message to the team, basically, is pretty simple. We are where we are because of the mistakes that we have been making – coaches and players, that is everybody included. But this will be a great test for our football team. This will be a great sign to see, really, who is in and who is out. That was the message. That is the challenge to everybody and that is just where we are. It is a matter of now really challenging the leadership of the football team, challenging the coaches, challenging the guys to keep this thing together. There are six football games left. We still an opportunity, obviously, in our division, but it is just really going to challenge all of us moving forward.”

On whether he expected better protection for QB Carson Wentz considering OL Isaac Seumalo was back and Browns DE Myles Garrett was out: “It was really good to get (OL) Isaac (Seumalo) back out there and again. This is his first time back in the offensive line since early in the season. I think I will have a chance to watch the film to see how he does. There were some good things in the first half that we were able to take advantage of. Then, (C Jason) Kelce got the injury there in the second quarter. Then, (T) Lane (Johnson), then JP (T Jason Peters). So the second half became a little different. That is that continuity that I was talking about.”

On identifying the problems to clean up leading to this game, but then making the make mistakes: “It says we have got to coach better. It says we have got to play better. It says we have to pay attention to our jobs. Plain and simple. These games come down to three or four plays, and that is kind of what this game here

today came down to. It was about four plays that were mistakes by us—the turnovers, costly penalties. So we have to fix it.”

On the defensive linemen continually jumping offside and whether the team has considered benching them or imposing other discipline to stop it: “No. If you have a lot more depth at positions, maybe you can do that. Maybe you can bench guys. But when you dress the number of guys you dress for games on Sundays, it is hard. Again, it is concentration. When I talk about the details and execution, that is part of it. That kind of stuff falls in line with turnovers or with lack of takeaways, whatever it is. Those are the things that hold us back.”

On whether he would have full authority to bench Wentz if he felt that was the right decision: “Look, I think if you get that spot where you do not start him or you bench him, I think you are sending the wrong message to your football team that the season is over. That is a bad message. We have to work through this. When times get tough, sometimes that might be the easy thing to do. This business is about work. This business is about detail and having ownership – things I talk about with the team. That is what we have got to do. That is coaches and players. That is not one guy. It is bigger. This sport is bigger than one guy. We all have a hand in it and we all have to fix it.”

On his perspective on the pick-six and on the safety: “The first pick-six, we broke down in protection. We had, I think, an opportunity there on the throw to get the ball out into (WR) Jalen Reagor’s hands. We just broke down in protection and got hit as the ball was being thrown and it popped up. They made a play. The one in the end zone, again it is just an awareness thing. We just have to know when the clock is going off in your head, you have to throw it away in those situations like that. We were there earlier in the game and were able to complete a pass down there. We have to try and stay as aggressive as possible, but it is something we will learn from.”

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Eagles QB Carson Wentz Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-2020

Eagles QB Carson Wentz: On what he saw on the pick-six: “I mean, I definitely did not want to float it out there. Anytime you get hit when you throw, it is a bad feeling. It is a bad feeling, because you know that the ball is just kind of floating in the air. You are hoping it falls to the ground. I will have to go back and watch the tape. I mean, we were trying to do something against that specific coverage and it was not there so I was just trying to chuck it down. I got hit on it, so it was unfortunate there.”

On whether or not he is hesitating: “No, not at all. I have not changed. I am trying to be smart. As far as hesitation, when I see a guy open, I am cutting it loose. The pick-six? That was unfortunate. The guy made a good play by bringing the blitz up the edge. Like I said, obviously getting hit on that is not ideal. They made a good play there. But the other ones? No, I am not hesitating. They made some plays, too. Ideally, I get the ball out there quicker. You know, it was unfortunate to be in the end zone there and taking that sack. Hats off to them. They made a good play.”

On whether or not it is surprising that benching him has come up in conversation: You guys can ask whatever questions you want. I know that is part of the deal. I know it is always a scrutinized position, playing quarterback. That is what I signed up for when I came out and played quarterback going back to high school. I can take it. I can wear it. It is what it is. Are we playing as good as we can as a team? No. Am I playing my best football? No. There were some circumstances out there today, where we left some plays on the field. We will be critical. We will go back and watch the tape. At the end of the day, that stuff is what it is. You guys can ask whatever questions you want. Bring up whatever you want. For me, I am just going to put my head down and go to work.”

On why he thinks things are not getting better: “That is a good question. I mean, at the end of the day, you have to give some credit to that defense. They made some plays. No excuses on the conditions, but it made it tough. You know, we can be better. We can and we left some plays out there. But they made more than us today. It is hard to put my finger on exactly what went wrong. I know last week, one of the big things was third downs. Last week and this week, we have really struggled on third down. Finding a way to stay on the field has really been our name of the game over the years. That is how we need to be as an offense. We are not sustaining drives and staying on the field so that is something we are going to have to take a hard look at.”

On his mental state and whether or not he has confidence issues at this point in the season: “I am frustrated. I think everyone in this locker room is frustrated. You do not go out there and play 60 minutes to lose. That is not in your mind. We want to fight, scratch, claw and do everything we can to find a way to win these ball games. That is, obviously, not happening in the last couple of weeks. As far as confidence and all of that, it is what it is. I am the same player. I am going to go cut it loose. I am going to be the same guy and give it my all every single game on every single play. And I will, hopefully, look up and see that we are winning more of these games. But right now, we are not, so we have to look hard at ourselves in the mirror.”

On if he can be the same player after sustaining injuries: “I think so. Football is football. There are injuries that happen and you cannot control them. They are out of your control. Last year—if you want to bring up the concussion—that sucks. Being hit in the back of the head like that is an unfortunate part of the game. That stuff happens. I am not going to change. I am going to give it

my all and I am going to keep learning as I am going. I am going to learn how to keep getting to be a better player. Do not get me wrong, as far as aggressiveness, being confident and all of those things? That is not going to change.”

On the last interception: “We will go back and see the tape. I think that he (WR Alshon Jeffery) came out thinking one thing and I just tried to give him a chance on that corner and the guy made a good play. The chemistry was not there on that one. It is a bummer. Being down there and putting together that drive when we needed one. Obviously, ending that one in a pick was unfortunate, but I felt confident in the play called. I felt confident on the play. It is just one that we have to get on the same page.”

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Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-2020

S Rodney McLeod: On putting all the work in during the week but still coming out on the losing end: “It is hard. We all put so much work into this. We prepare hard. We go to practice each and every day and then we show up on Sundays expecting to win when you do all those things and come in not what you were expecting to just digest that. This has been the story for us obviously the past couple of weeks, heartbreaking losses throughout the season. Whether we are losing by three points or seven or less, it is tough. I would be lying if I said that it was not, but at the end of the day, there are still six more games left. I would never quit. I know this team and our identity, and no one has that in them. We are going to get back to work and grind this thing out. All we care about is Monday night and Seattle. That is the next opponent, and we have to get to work and hope for a different outcome next Monday.”

On how frustrating it was for the defense to give up only 13 points but the offense surrender nine: “At the end of the day, we care about those 13 points that we gave up. That is where we have to improve. It was not good enough. We talked about eliminating big plays, and they capitalized on three today. They all contributed and turned into points. When I look at this film closely, I have to look at what we can do as a defense to change the outcome of the game, myself included. I look at the long run that (RB Nick) Chubb had, and I missed that tackle. I pride myself on being a good tackler. Other plays were self-inflicted that they got on us. Next week, we have to eliminate those if we want to be the leader on this team. As the defense, we set the pace. We can’t allow those plays to happen. We have to minimize them as much as possible and create more turnovers for our team.”

On if the Eagles could have done anything differently to defend the play-action pass: “I think one of them was a miscommunication. We did not get the line well, which we can’t have happen. They went tempo and guys did not get the call so they caught us. Outside of that, we just have to be more disciplined and better eyes on those plays.”

On Chubb’s 54-yard run: “They went stretch-open, and I do not really know what took place. I know I am just running the alley, I see (Eagles DE Josh) Sweat, he had the secure tackle and we talked about it all week… Chubb and Hunt, they have great balance, and it is going to take a lot of guys to get them down. He just outran me a little bit. Luckily, guys did pursue to the ball, though. That is a good thing about that play. It did not turn into a touchdown. We gave our defense a second chance, and we almost held up. That is all I have on that play.”

On what the Browns were doing on deep passing plays: “When you have an effective run game, even though I do not think it was as effective today, you still have to respect it. Those running backs are very talented, and I think that is all that was us putting emphasis on the run game, being overly aggressive and them taking advantage of that, and they were able to get a couple big plays. Like I said, we have to minimize that, correct it – they are all fixable – and not have it happen next week.”

On his reasoning for hope for the remainder of the season: “My belief. My faith. I know the men we have in this locker room. I have been in battle with a lot of them. From what I see, even on the fields on Sunday, that is what keeps me encouraged and that is what keeps me believing that we will turn this around. It is on us individually to look at ourselves in the mirror and get this thing fixed. No one else can do it for us. It is going to take the 53 men that go out on that field next Monday to change the outcome.”

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LB Sione Takitaki Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-20

LB Sione Takitaki: On his first career interception and INT-return TD: “It felt really good. It felt awesome. First one in the NFL, and it was for a touchdown. It was great. We went in our blank coverage to the strong side, and I am standing beside to see the running back kind of flaring out so I know that is my coverage. I kind of widen out there with him. Once I go to attack because I see the QB (Eagles QB Carson Wentz) starting to throw it to him, it kind of got tipped in the air. I saw it went in the air and I am like, ‘Alright, have to go up and get it.’ Came down with it, a ton of daylight and ran to the touchdown. It felt great.”

On being the Browns’ game captain today: “It felt great. You put in time throughout the week…. You go out there and we have a lot of great guys out there and we have a lot of great coaches. It was an honor.”

On the Browns defense stepping up to make plays without DE Myles Garrett on the field: “You guys know Myles. We all know Myles. Those other guys man, they are great athletes and great football players, too. They knew they had to step up. They have a lot of big names, too, and I feel like what kind of set us up is we were good on first and second down and we are able to get to those third-and- manageable downs and let loose, and let those guys go let loose. I thought we were great when we get to third down, and those obvious pass downs and those got after it.”

On if the breakout performances from RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt energized the defense: “For sure. That one-two punch with those two guys is great. We know what those two guys bring to the table. They kept after with it and the offense kept after it. The defense was energized. Complementary football.”

On if he was tired on the way to the end zone on his INT-return TD: “I would not say I was tired, but I was kind of like, ‘I am actually going to score.’ I felt like I should have sprinting a little bit, but it was a great feeling – a feeling you want to feel every time you step on that field. I was not tired. It was more exciting for me.”

On if he was able to keep the football from his INT-TD: “I did, yeah.”

On if the Browns defense has that will to win and wearing opponents down late: “Yeah, we are there. We are a tough, resilient team. I feel like things are working out, and that is football. That is how things are going to be in some games. I feel like we have a tight unit and a tight team.”

On the Browns currently being second place in the AFC North and if that is meaningful to him: “We still have to prepare and play the next game. Can’t speak on now and can’t pat our backs now, but enjoy this win for the rest of the day. Tomorrow we have to start over.”

On if he felt today’s performance was a long time coming for him: “Yeah, I feel like I needed some plays to kind of… I train every day week in and week-out to go out there and make these splash plays and help the team. It felt good to finally get feelings back and continue to

work, and grow to help my team in any way possible. Personally, we are building. Now I am going to continue to work and continue to try to make those big plays out there. That is why I play the game.”

On DE Olivier Vernon filling a void with Garrett’s absence at the line of scrimmage: “It starts up front. Those guys were working so hard. OV, man, OV gets paid a lot of money and we know what he brings to the table. He is a great defensive end. Like I said earlier, we knew that Myles was going to be out and I feel like those guys are like, ‘Let’s get it going. We are going to make sure that we are going to hold our own.’ I feel like they went out today and proved it. To go out there and dominate, OV had three sacks. AC (DE Adrian Clayborn) was balling. The rest of the D line were penetrating. I tip my hat to those guys because we know week in and week-out, it starts up front. O line and D line, they set the tempo for the rest of the game so it is good to see that.”

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DE Brandon Graham Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-2020

Eagles DE Brandon Graham: On stopping the run early and then wearing down later in the game: “They just made a play. When I think about the big one (Browns RB Nick) Chubb—we just missed a tackle. He made a heck of a play. We knew both of those backs were really good and I felt like we were coming, but we were missing some tackles there and they were getting leaky and we did not do enough to get off the field.”

On whether this season feels like a previous season in his career: “You know what, honestly, every year is different. I know what it feels like at our worst sometimes. I do not feel this is the worst, worst, because obviously, with our record as bad as it is, we still have a game up. It is on us. This is the most “on us” that I have been a part of, where we have to fix it. We have six games to do it. I do know that we have some fighters in here. We want to get this thing right. We talk about winners win and losers just figure out how to lose. We are not doing that. We are winners here. We always hold that high standard with what we have to get accomplished. We do not want to make excuses. We just did not get it done today. It is just tough, because now, what I love the most is that during tough times, you really see what your team is about. This is the toughest time, because when people expect you to come out and win certain games and you do not do it, and we expect the same thing and we do not do it, you really start to see what you need to see with your team. I do not see people wavering. I am not worried about that, but we do need to clean up some of the little things, little mistakes, that we make. Like you say, we have a perfect game going on defense and then one little, big play—we have got to eliminate those. How we come to work each and every week, it matters. And at this point right now, you know, we are at the lowest of lows. I am sure everybody is going crazy, because we lost and keep losing, but I know that we are figuring this out. We are going to hit this thing and we are going to hit it running once we get it.”

On the same mistakes popping up, even after the leadership group identified the problems to be fixed this week: “I mean, it is never perfect, but what we do say is that there is certain stuff we go over in practice and we cannot make those mistakes in the game. It is not like we have not seen some of the stuff. And yes, you might get one or two different things you might not see, but that is why you adjust. I think we adjusted well at halftime. We see how they are hitting us and sometimes—they get paid just like we do and they make a play. But it is how you bounce back from those plays and how you bow down, bow up, buckle up and get ready to change some things. I think that we have got some fighters in here. It might not be as clean as we want it to be, but I love the fight and what we have got going on the defensive side of the ball. I love how we are talking to each other. We just have to continue to keep putting the offense in better positions, because it is a field position game and you have to make sure you stop the run, No. 1, and play with good field position.”

On his confidence in QB Carson Wentz: “I am confident in whatever coach (Doug Pederson) wants to do and whatever they figure out on the offensive side. That has nothing to do with us other than we have to keep on keeping it tight on defense. I know that coach will make the right choice, regardless about what happens. I know it means something to (QB) Carson (Wentz). I know it means something to a lot of guys. Whatever it takes to get a dub, we are going to do. Whatever Coach leans on doing, we are going to support him and we are going to support our teammates, regardless of what happens.”

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Miles Sanders Cleveland Browns against Philadelphia Eagles Postgame Zoom Interview Week 11 11-22-2020 RB Miles Sanders: On what changed from the first to second half in their run game: “Nothing really changed. They made a good adjustment in the run game. I just tried to get them on some good play action and get a groove going. That is probably the only change I can say—not running away from the ball—but they just made a good adjustment in our run game.”

On the fumble at the five-yard line: “I have to be better. No excuses, just have to be better. I exposed myself in there and they got one. They got one under me.”

On their success early in the game running the ball versus the end: “They just made a good adjustment in the second half. I do believe we just have to keep straining and straining more to keep that running game going in all our games and to keep it consistent. That is what I do believe. Have to give credit to the Cleveland Browns. They made good adjustments and made it hard for us to run the ball.”

On what adjustment the Browns made: “The linebackers shot gaps faster than in the first half. Because of the weather, they did not expect either team to throw the ball as much. But we were very effective in the first half, so they probably just keyed on it.”

On if he had a sense of what C Jason Kelce was playing through: “I do not know the exact injury; I just know that is a tough son of a gun. Probably the toughest player on our team and plays through whatever. He does whatever it takes to stay on the field and help us win. Even in practice, when he can take easy days, he is always there practicing. I do not know his injury; I just know he is going to be fine and ready for practice on Wednesday.”

On what gives him confidence in his team going forward: “My faith and hope. Knowing the type of guys we have in this locker room, the type of teammates, type of coaches and type of organization we have. There is no quit in us. We still have a lot of football left, but time is running out, obviously. We have to get this thing right, like soon, like fast, because come Monday night, we are going to see what we are really about.”

On the game plan for QB Carson Wentz to stay in pocket: “That is not our only play-action-type play, but I think we had one roll-out pass. We just tried to get the run game going, open up more stuff, which we did. We took some shots down the field and they were very effective. I think we just lost our rhythm and stupid penalties, turnovers, including myself, just have to be better.”

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