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Eagles-Browns scouting report

WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL With Carson Wentz at quarterback and Doug Pederson coaching his first game, there is some mystery about how the Eagles offense will look. Kansas City's offense in recent years with quarterback Alex Smith could offer hints: The Eagles will run the ball, tr

WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL

With Carson Wentz at quarterback and Doug Pederson coaching his first game, there is some mystery about how the Eagles offense will look. Kansas City's offense in recent years with quarterback Alex Smith could offer hints: The Eagles will run the ball, trust a mobile quarterback with run-pass options, and feature the running backs and tight ends in the passing game. Look for Wentz to go downfield, and he'll likely make some "wow plays," as Pederson called them, mixed in with some poor decisions, like his interception in the preseason opener. He'll be helped by running back Ryan Mathews, who has quietly become a key player. Look for Mathews to be one of the focal points of the offense.

Jordan Matthews is back as the top wide receiver, although tight end Zach Ertz and running back Darren Sproles will also be high on the target list. Dorial Green-Beckham will continue to see a bigger role as he gets more familiar with the system. At 6-foot-5, he has a major height advantage over a Cleveland secondary that does not have a player over 6 feet. The offensive line will benefit from having Lane Johnson in the lineup. With no suspension from the league, Johnson starts at right tackle to give the Eagles the line they wanted. Allen Barbre will play left guard, where he started 16 games last season.

Respected coordinator Ray Horton, who comes from the Dick LaBeau coaching tree, oversees the Browns defense. Look for Horton to send blitzes at Wentz to try to flummox the rookie. Problem is, the Browns lack established talent on the unit. Both of their edge rushers are rookies: outside linebackers Emmanuel Ogbah and Joe Schobert. Their front seven has a combined 22 career sacks, so most of the talent the Browns boast is not yet proven. The most well-known name is cornerback Joe Haden; Matthews expects to see Haden often on Sunday. Fans of the Philadelphia Inter-Ac League will recognize two players on the Browns defense from local high schools: starting safety Ibraheim Campbell, who went to Chestnut Hill Academy, and rookie defensive end Carl Nassib, a Malvern Prep alumnus who also starred at Penn State. The Browns have 17 rookies on their 53-man roster, with nine on defense.

WHEN THE BROWNS HAVE THE BALL

The Browns start Robert Griffin III at quarterback. Once a rookie sensation in Washington, Griffin flamed out in four seasons and is looking for a revival in Cleveland. He'll be helped by new head coach Hue Jackson, an experienced offensive coach who comes from Cincinnati. The problem is the Browns don't have a lot of for help Griffin. Their top receiver, Josh Gordon, is suspended to begin the season. They'll rely on first-round pick Corey Coleman and converted quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Griffin looked good throwing deep in the preseason with Pryor as a target. Safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod can both play deep and must make sure they help the cornerbacks on deep passes. They'll also have responsibilities covering tight end Gary Barnidge, who was a Pro Bowler last season with 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns. The Browns can use running back Duke Johnson in the passing game - Johnson had 61 receptions as a rookie last season and will test the Eagles' linebackers. Mychal Kendricks, who did not play much in the preseason, will need to show he's improved in pass coverage. That could be a favorable matchup for Cleveland.

The offensive line is anchored by left tackle Joe Thomas, a nine-time Pro Bowler who will be a tough matchup for Connor Barwin, but it's otherwise unproven. It could be a big day for the Eagles defensive line, which defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said must set the tone. Watch for Vinny Curry and Brandon Graham rushing on the left side against right tackle Austin Pasztor. Fletcher Cox is hard for anyone to block, but he will be a challenge for interior of the Browns line in Cox's first regular-season game in this scheme since 2012.

Isaiah Crowell is Cleveland's top rusher. The Eagles' first-team defense played well against the run during the preseason and will rely on middle linebacker Jordan Hicks to set up the front.

When the Browns punt, the Eagles will have Darren Sproles back as a returner. He did not return punts in the preseason, but he'll try to make his third consecutive Pro Bowl as a returner.

BIG NUMBER

77

It's been 77 years since the Eagles started a rookie quarterback in the season opener. The last one to do so was Davey O'Brien on Sept. 17, 1939. Carson Wentz will break that streak. Since 1950, the Eagles have had three rookie quarterbacks play on opening day: Randall Cunningham in 1985, John Reaves in 1972, and Jack Concannon in 1964. Wentz will become the first rookie quarterback to start a game for the Eagles since Nick Foles in 2012. The last rookie quarterback to get a home win for the Eagles was Donovan McNabb in 1999.

PREDICTION

Zach Berman: Eagles 24, Browns 13

Jeff McLane: Eagles 20, Browns 13