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Eagles-Browns Predictions

Carson Wentz adds an element to the Eagles offense that it lacked with Sam Bradford at the controls – a quarterback that is a threat to run.

1. How will the Eagles offense do?

Jeff McLane: Carson Wentz adds an element to the Eagles offense that it lacked with Sam Bradford at the controls – a quarterback that is a threat to run. Doug Pederson has to be careful with how he plans to employs zone read, run-pass package plays that give the rookie the option to run. Wentz hasn't played in a month, doctors only recently cleared him after fracturing his ribs, and this is, of course, his first NFL game. It will also be his first look at a first unit defense. It will take him time to get used to the speed. Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton will blitz Wentz – that much is certain. Horton is from the Dick LeBeau school of defense, so there should be some fire zone blitzes that could confound the rookie. The Browns have a two-gap 3-4 base front. Danny Shelton is the space eating nose tackle. There aren't exactly many plus-playmakers in that front seven.

But on the back end, there's Joe Haden. He can be a shut down cornerback, although the 6-foot-5 Dorial Green-Beckham has a distinct height advantage over the 5-10 Haden. The safeties are young and have links to Philly: Ibraheim Campbell is a Chestnut Hill Academy product and Jordan Poyer was an Eagles' 2013 seventh round pick. He was drafted as corner, and the Eagles briefly moved him to safety, but he didn't get an opportunity until he landed in Cleveland.

Zach Berman: The honest answer is I don't know what to expect from this offense because Wentz is still an unknown. I don't think they'll harness Wentz – he'll make those "wow plays" that Pederson talks about, but you can also count on some head-scratching decisions. But this won't be check downs and safe passes. Wentz will go down field, he'll be trusted with run-pass option plays. I still think a lot of the targets will be to Darren Sproles and Zach Ertz, but there will be more chances downfield than with Bradford. That said, I think Pederson tries helping Wentz by running the ball often with Ryan Mathews. Look for Mathews to be one of the most important players on the team this season.

The Browns will blitz Wentz to try to flummox him, but there might not be enough talent there. The Browns don't have much experience in their front seven, although outside linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah is a player to watch. He has all the tools to be a productive pass rusher in the NFL. I also need to give mentions to two locals you'll see on Sunday in Cleveland's defense: Campbell, like you mentioned, and reserve defensive end Carl Nassib, who went to Malvern Prep and then Penn State.

2. How will the Eagles defense do?

McLane: There's a lot of excitement about Jim Schwartz's defense after the preseason. There should be. But the defensive coordinator understands that the real tests start now. "On my bio does it say anything about my preseason stats," Schwartz said on Thursday. "I don't carry them with me. It's a clean slate." He should have the horses up front to make the wide-nine gallop. Brandon GrahamConnor Barwin and Vinny Curry are a solid three-man crew off the edges, but I'm not sure if there's one guy that will command extra attention. Fletcher Cox is the lynchpin, though. He'll line up in the three-technique for most of the game, which should give him one-on-one opportunities vs. the Browns' interior linemen.

Schwartz's rotation should keep those four, including defensive tackle Bennie Logan, fresh. New Browns coach Hue Jackson is expected trick up his offense to get the limited Robert Griffin III obvious looks in the passing game. The former Redskin isn't as explosive on the ground as he was pre-knee injury, but the Eagles will see a sampling of zone read looks. Jackson likes to shift his offense pre-snap. He'll use six offensive linemen on power run plays. He likes the screen game. Former quarterback Terrelle Pryor is probably the Browns' top receiving target. Jackson lines him up all over. Pryor's size (6-4, 232) could be an issue for corners Leodis McKelvin and Nolan Carroll.

Berman: I'm high on the Eagles defense this season when they're healthy. They'll get after the quarterback, and it will start Sunday against the Browns. The left side of Cleveland's line is formidable, with Joe Thomas anchoring at left tackle. Barwin will need to rush against him. But look at the matchup on the other side with  Graham and Curry against Austin Pasztor. And Fletcher Cox is dangerous against any offensive lineman.

Griffin has impressed with the deep ball this summer, and Pryor is a threat there. The Eagles safeties need to have the proper depth, but they're two of the Eagles' best players. You can count on Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod to be aware of what the Browns want to do. I'm also interested in watching Corey Coleman, their first-round pick. But where I think the Eagles need to be careful is the screen game. Running back Duke Johnson can hurt them. It will be a challenge for the linebackers – I'm curious to see how Mychal Kendricks looks after missing time this summer.

3. Who's a player to watch?

McLane: Zach Ertz has racked up impressive numbers toward the end of the last two seasons. He was slowed early last year after sports hernia surgery, but he's 100 percent healthy entering 2016 and could have that "break out" season – he hates that term – many have been declaring he'd have by now. Wentz is going to need a safety valve. Ertz would be a good place to start.

Berman: I'm going back to Mathews. He impressed me last season with how well he rushed – the 5.1 yards per carry jump off the page, but just how hard he ran was the big takeaway. Obviously, he needs to stay healthy, and that needs to be taken into account when looking at his season. But for Sunday? I'd expect to see a lot of Mathews, and he'll play well. He's topped 100 rushing yards 13 times in his career. Sunday will be No. 14.

4. What's your prediction?

McLane: The Browns are rebuilding from the bottom up. They start deep in the pit. They have 17 rookies on their 53-man roster. Not all of them will dress, but that gives you an indication about their lack of depth. The Eagles have shifted into rebuild mode after the Bradford trade. They have more talent than Cleveland, though. I picked the Browns in the Season Preview section, but that was done more from a big-picture standpoint. Looking at this game individually, it's hard to see the Eagles – even with the green Wentz – finding a way to lose. Oh, it's possible on any given Sunday … but I think Pederson starts his coaching career with a W. Eagles 20, Browns 13.​

Berman: When we scanned the schedule this week, there weren't many games that I could find mark as a "W." This is one of the them. The Eagles are in transition, but there's more continuity – and more talent – than in Cleveland. Cleveland has 17 rookies on their roster. They're on the road. They have a quarterback who didn't play last year. The Eagles have a rookie coach and rookie quarterback, but they have so many other factors going in their direction. My guess is Philadelphia is giddy on Monday morning. Give me Eagles 24, Browns 13.