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Westbrook, Eagles look to run all over Browns

Dec 9, 2008 - 3:38 PM Cleveland (4-9) at Philadelphia (7-5-1), 8:30 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Andy Reid went back to the basics and it worked wonders for the desperate Philadelphia Eagles.

Now they host the pitiful Cleveland Browns on "Monday Night Football" with a chance to push themselves right back into the thick of the NFC playoff race.

Reid often has been criticized for his seeming unwillingness to run the ball.

However, he re-dedicated the offense to the running game last week, as All-Pro tailback Brian Westbrook carried a season-high 33 times for 131 yards and a touchdown in a 20-14 road win over the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants in a swirling wind at Giants Stadium.

"The weather conditions were probably the biggest factor," Reid said of the change in offensive philosophy.

Westbrook, who has been hampered by knee and ankle injuries all season, also matched a season best with six catches for 72 yards - including a 40-yard TD reception.

The Eagles' defense came up big as well, holding the Giants to a season-low 210 yards en route to a second straight win. Still, Philadelphia basically needs to win out the rest of the way to catch Dallas (8-5) and Atlanta (8-5) for the NFC's final wild card.

"This was a big win," Westbrook said. "But we're in a position now where we have to win them all."

Reid said he isn't worried that the fans want him to run the ball more.

"I think the fans really just want to win," he said. "They don't really care if we throw it or run it. They want to see W's."

The W's come a lot faster with a strong running game, though, and the Eagles should look to exploit the Browns' porous run defense.

Cleveland is the league's fifth-worst rush defense, allowing 148.5 yards per game. The Browns were run over by Tennessee to the tune of 235 yards in a 28-9 loss last week.

The Browns have struggled offensively all season and are down to third-string quarterback Ken Dorsey, who completed 22-of-43 passes for 150 yards and one interception - a dismal 3.5 yards per attempt.

Cleveland, which went 10-6 last season, has lost three straight and five of six.

"We're not last year's team," Pro Bowl kick returner Josh Cribbs said. "We have a different football team. We have to play better football."