Week 1 Preview: Eagles (0-0) at Browns (0-0)
The Philadelphia Eagles begin their 2012 season in Cleveland on Sunday at 1:00. Philadelphia looks to rebound from their disappointing 8-8 record from a year ago, while the Browns look to improve upon last year’s 4-12 mark, which included a 6 game losing streak to end the season. The Eagles went 4-0 this preseason including a week 3 win against the Browns, while Cleveland finished 2-2. Sunday will be the 3rd meeting between the Eagles and Browns since 2001 with Philadelphia winning both of the previous match ups .
Eagles Offensive Player to Watch: DeSean Jackson
While Michael Vick’s ribs will get most of the attention Sunday, and LeSean McCoy should see most of the touches, the real story might be the play DeSean Jackson. 2011 was an awful season for Jackson as he let contract negotiations take away from his overall effort on the field; which included a benching by Andy Reid, against the Cardinals In week 10. Going up against a lesser opponent in Cleveland, look for Philadelphia to take shots down the field early as the Eagles offense gets a feel for itself here in week 1. Jackson has a lot to prove in 2012 after signing a new 5 year $40 million contract in the offseason, and Sunday’s game will be his 1st chance to prove he was worth the investment and is still an elite receiver in the NFL.
Eagles Defensive Player to Watch: Demeco Ryans
Ryan’s was brought in from Houston to improve up a group of linebackers that underachieved in 2011.His overall ability and veteran leadership should be an asset to this year’s Eagles defense. Too many times a season ago the Eagles were gashed up the middle on simple running plays, and Cleveland will look to do the same Sunday. With rookie Brandon Weeden starting at quarterback, the Browns will try to avoid exposing him to the vaunted Eagles pass rush by limiting his drop backs. Lining up in the backfield with Weeden, is fellow first round pick Trent Richardson. Look for the Browns to use a steady diet of Richardson, and backup running back Montario Hardesty, to try and pound away at the Eagles defense and keep Michael Vick and company off the field. Sunday will be Ryan’s first chance to prove he is the stop gap and leader the Eagles have so desperately needed at linebacker the last few seasons.
Eagles Injury Report
Probable: Nate Allen (Hamstring), Jason Babin (Calf), Jamar Chaney (Hamstring), Dion Lewis (Hamstring), Casey Matthews (Ankle) Questionable: Fletcher Cox (Knee) Out: Colt Anderson (Knee), Riley Cooper (Collarbone)
Browns Offensive Player to Watch: Brandon Weeden
Rookie Brandon Weeden makes his 1st career start against the Eagles on Sunday. He was selected with the 22nd overall pick in April’s draft and was tabbed the starting quarterback in the preseason over Colt McCoy. Weeden will be quarterbacking a team that has won only 9 games in the past 2 seasons, and is lacking both talent and depth at key positions; and Sunday he will be facing one of the better pass defenses in the NFL. Not only will Weeden have to throw against shutdown corners Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromarite, but he will also be facing an athletic and deep defensive line. The Browns will attempt to run the ball as much as possible Sunday, but with the health concerns over Trent Richardson’s surgically repaired knee, and the offensive firepower of the Eagles, Weeden may have no choice but to throw often. If the Browns are to pull off the upset, Weeden will have to look impressive not only throwing the ball but also directing the offense and establishing himself a team leader.
Browns Defensive Player to Watch: Joe Haden
The Browns defense will look to slow down the Eagles offense on Sunday by containing the big play, and forcing turnovers. With playmakers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin at receiver, much of this task will fall on the shoulders of third year corner Joe Haden. Haden will probably line up against the speedy Jackson and will try and take Jackson off of his game. To do so, Haden must be physical with him, get inside his head, and not let Jackson beat him over the top like he’s done to so many other corners. If Haden can accomplish his game plan against the Eagles best receiver, than the rest of the defense can focus on shutting down the run and applying pressure on Michael Vick. Creating multiple turnovers and not giving up big plays is the key to the Browns defense having success this week, and for this to happen Haden has to be on top of his game.
Browns Injury Report
Probable: Eric Hagg (Illness), Dimitri Patterson (Knee), Ray Ventrone (Hamstring), Usama Young (Thigh) Questionable: Jordan Cameron (Groin), James Michael-Johnson (Ribs/Oblique), Thaddeus Lewis (Thumb), Chris Ogbonnaya (Ankle), Trent Richardson (Knee), Benjamin Watson (Thigh)
Quote of the Week
Eagles Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg on whether he is concerned about cohesiveness in the first-team offense due to their lack of time playing together in the preseason: “I have no concerns at all, because we have great confidence in each other. Now, strange things tend to happen in openers, so you’re always a little concerned about that. So, we do everything we can to avoid all these strange things that happen in opening games and we rely on our hard work and our preparation.”
Eagles 3 Keys to the Game
1) Protect Michael Vick: Win or Lose the focal point on Sunday has to be the health of Michael Vick. Nick Foles has that Tom Brady potential, but if the Eagles want a realistic shot at a Super Bowl this season Michael Vick has to stay healthy and in the lineup.
2) Limit Turnovers: Often the first few weeks of a football season are turnover and penalty laden affairs, but this is to be expected as teams are still trying to get a feel for one another. However, the Eagles are heavy favorites to win this ball game, and the Browns stand their best chance of pulling off an upset if they can create multiple Philadelphia turnovers.
3) Get the Ball Back: Look for Cleveland to try and dominate time of possession on Sunday. With the firepower of the Eagles offense, the Browns will look to run, run, run, and keep Michael Vick on the sideline. If the Eagles are able to force 3 and outs, and stop the Browns on 3rd down, they should win rather handedly.
Prediction
Eagles 34 Browns 10
Weeden struggles in his debut, as does hobbled Trent Richardson, while Vick and the Eagles make some mistakes but just have too much talent for the Browns to overcome.
Current NFC East Standings
1. Cowboys (1-0)
2. Eagles (0-0)
2. Redskins (0-0
3. Giants (0-1)
