Eagles vs Browns Preview and Pick

New Eagles head coach Doug Pederson, makes his NFL head coaching debut for the Philadelphia Eagles when the open off the 2016 regular season with a home match-up against the Cleveland Browns. The Eagles have won each of the last four games in the all-time series against the Browns, including a 17-16 victory in 2012.

Since 1982, Philadelphia has won six of its last eight contests vs. Cleveland.

A lot of talk this week as centered around the Eagles trade of Sam Bradford to the Vikings and naming rookie No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz, and not Chase Daniel the starter. One thing the Eagles like about Wentz is his ability to move out-of-the-pocket. Two things to watch will be how many shots the Eagles allow Wentz to take down-the-field and how much zone-read they run with him coming off his rib injury.

Dorial Green-Beckham lead all rookie wide-outs in yards per catch last season, will the Eagles use his 6-foot-5 frame against the smaller Browns secondary. Eagles coach Doug Pederson said the team is bringing Green-Beckham along slowly while he learns the playbook, but that could still mean there are a few plays in the redzone that have his name on them.

(Listen on 97.3 ESPN, coverage starts at noon, Kickoff at 1pm)

Injuries: The Eagles listed Bryce Treggs out for the game while Trey Burton and Vinny Curry are listed as questionable, though both are expected to play on Sunday.

Sal Pal’s Keys to the Game: 

Eagles’ inactives: Trey Burton, Terrance Brooks, Bryson Treggs, Josh Andrews, Dillon Gordon, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Isaac Seumalo
Browns’ inactives: Cody Kessler, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Marcus Burley, Scooby Wright III, Shon Coleman, Jordan Payton, Tyrone Holmes

Outside View: Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland.com

Brown to Watch:  Robert Griffin III
RGIII returns to the starting lineup after sitting in Washington last season.  He comes to Cleveland with a young supporting cast, but if he can make some plays with his feet, similar to the way he did back in 2012 when he took the Redskins to the playoffs he could lead the Browns to a win over the Eagles.

Match-up to Watch: Browns interior line vs Eagles defensive tackles. 

The Eagles should be able to attack the middle of the Browns offensive line where Cameron Erving makes his first NFL start at center after making just five starts at center in college. The Eagles best player, Fletcher Cox could cause a lot of problems for the Browns up-the-middle.

The Pick: Eagles, 28, Browns, 10