Season Opener Week 1: Eagles @ Browns Preview

Aah the sweet smell of football. It is here and the Eagles start it off against a young hungry Cleveland Browns team. The Eagles played the Browns in week 3 of the preseason so they are not strangers to each other this year. Since there was no game plan shown we will most likely see two very different teams energy wise and scheme wise.

Key Players Injury Update

Trent Richardson is still a question mark as he was limited again in practice this week.  

Joe Haden is going to play even though he was not hurt he could have been suspended by the league for substance abuse. 

Eagles DT Fletcher Cox was limited in practice Thursday but he should be a go for the opener and he will play a big part as he is starting with Landri as well rotating in.

Jason Babin practiced all this week so he should be a go as well against the Browns but don't expect a 3 sack performance as Philip Hunt, Tapp, and Graham will come in the rotation as well so they don't rush Babin into the swing of things. 

Keys To The Game

It is going to be a loud crowd in Cleveland Sunday so for me what the Eagles need to do is get a couple quick stops on defense with 3 and outs then slow the tempo on offense, run the ball efficiently, and get the ball out of Vick's hands. That last point brings me to my next point, the Eagles in order to get the ball out of Vick's hands fast is run some screens to McCoy and run some quick routes with Maclin, Avant, and Jackson and let them make plays after the catch. I was thinking to myself today about how QBs check down to the running back but for Vick his check down should be to run, yes I said run because as much as fans want Vick to get the ball out I do as well but not all the time we need to set certain plays aside where Vick can have the option to take the ball and run because with his talent we can't always keep him cooped up in the pocket. So the final keys are to run the ball efficiently, get off the field as quick as possible on defense, get the ball out of Vick's hands when passing but set aside certain plays for him to run with the ball. 

Prediction

The Eagles are going to get business done Sunday both offensively and defensively with a final score of 24-14 and Vick stays healthy and ready for Week 2.

The Eagles take on the Browns at 1:00 on Sunday on FOX.