The Keys To Victory For The Eagles Week One

The Philadelphia Eagles host the Cleveland Browns Week One as rookie quarterback Carson Wentz makes his regular season debut. While much of the focus will be on Wentz, the Eagles will need contributions across the board to emerge victorious.

Rejoice Eagles fans. The regular season is upon us as the Eagles host the Browns to kick off the new year. A familiar foe makes his return to Lincoln Financial Field as Robert Griffin III has once again re-established himself as a starting quarterback in the NFL. This game will also feature the coaching debuts of Doug Pederson for the Eagles and Hue Jackson for the Browns. Of course, the two franchises are also tied together as a result of the blockbuster trade that resulted in the Eagles selecting Carson Wentz with the second pick in this year’s draft.

Both franchises are looking to regain credibility and establish a new era where winning supersedes mediocrity. In order for the Eagles to take a step towards that goal, the defense – now coached by Jim Schwartz – will need to get off the field more than they did under former defensive coordinator Bill Davis. This means that the Eagles need to put pressure on Griffin early and often. According to Pro Football Focus, during the 2014 season Griffin had a 104.7 passer rating when facing no pressure. Under pressure however that number dipped to 53.0.

Next: Eagles vs Browns Perspective From Dawg Pound Daily Editor

The defense also needs to succeed on third downs. Last season opposing offenses converted 42.9% of third down opportunities against the Eagles. That’s simply unacceptable. During the preseason, the Eagles limited opposing offenses to a 31.0% conversion rate on third downs. Even for preseason, progress is progress. For his career, Griffin has completed 59.59% of his passes on third downs. As the distance to go gets larger, his completion percentage drops.

The two guys he’ll be targeting present unique match-up problems. Tight end Gary Barnidge and wide receiver Corey Coleman bring big play potential to an offense that had the third fewest points last season. Last season, only nine teams allowed fewer yards to opposing tight ends than the Eagles. Gone are the days when the linebackers in midnight green couldn’t even cover their mouth to sneeze. As for Coleman, he’ll likely be matched up against Nolan Carroll. Playing with a chip on his shoulder all preseason, Carroll looks to shed the recent mantra of inadequate Eagles cornerbacks. In fact, he’s the only corner that was on the team six months ago.

More from Eagles News

• Eagles captains earn high praise on roster blending veteran leadership, youth
• How former Eagles star Cre’Von LeBlanc helped Renegades upstage Cowboys
• Eagles 2023 schedule: Every WR duo Darius Slay, James Bradberry will battle
• Imagining better names for Jason Kelce’s Good Guy Award
• Bold predictions for the Philadelphia Eagles offense in 2023

Of course, there’s also the quarterback on the home sideline. Wentz has played a total of 39 snaps in an NFL jersey, all of which were with much smaller sleeves than the prior quarterback in Philadelphia. Wentz, like Griffin, has mobility and pocket awareness that could cause chaos to ensue. Perhaps no play demonstrated this more than Wentz’s completion to Zach Ertz.

It’s hard not to get excited about the potential Wentz has. It’s equally dumbfounding that so many have abandoned that same hope for the guys Wentz will be throwing to. Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff, and Dorial Green-Beckham have been criticized and lambasted again and again. Not one of those receivers has been in the NFL for more than three seasons. Remember when a receiver was projected to break out in his third year? The criticism reminds me of a scene in the movie My Cousin Vinny. “No self-respecting Southerner uses instant grits.” Well, no self-respecting football fan should expect their players to become Odell Beckham in two seasons.

The young Eagle receivers will have an opportunity to show their worth against a revamped Browns secondary. Veterans Tramon Williams and Joe Haden will present a challenge at corner. Former Eagles seventh round draft pick Jordan Poyer has come into his own as well at safety. Despite their potential however, the Eagles’ big receivers, particularly Matthews and Green-Beckham, should have their way. The biggest key for the receivers is: Catch the ball. Don’t drop the ball. The Eagles need receivers, not hernia specialists.

The regular season kicks off in a matter of hours. The Browns present a nice litmus test for Pederson’s players and coaches. I am expecting a win, but anticipating a few bumps in the road throughout the game. While all the focus will be on the Eagles offense, the defense should ultimately lead the Birds on the road to victory. For the Browns, their road to victory will more difficult to navigate than Roosevelt Boulevard. Expect the Eagles to win by a touchdown or more.