The Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns enter 2012 with totally different sets of expectations. Trying to erase a nightmare 2011 season, the Eagles hope to finally bring home an elusive Super Bowl Championship. The Browns, however, will be breaking in a rookie quarterback and laying the foundation for the future. Both journeys start on Sunday in Cleveland.
After under-achieving in 2011, many thought there would be a massive overhaul in Philly starting with head coach Andy Reid; ownership, though, had different plans and gave him another chance. Reid then spent the offseason upgrading the defense and signing key players to long-term deals. The pieces appear to be in place for a return to the playoffs, and anything less will probably cost him his job after being put on notice by owner, Jeffrey Lurie, just weeks before the season.
In contrast, the Browns enter the season with very little being expected of them; ranking last in the PFF Preseason Power Rankings. The offense is littered with youth and the schedule appears brutal. The offseason for the Browns was highlighted by two first-round draft choices that yielded new starting quarterback, Brandon Weeden, and workhorse running back, Trent Richardson. The Browns hope to develop as a team and turn heads this season.
On paper this looks like a mismatch, but let’s look at three key battles.
Thomas & Schwartz vs. Babin & Cole
This is not only the marquee matchup of this game but quite possibly the best matchup of the league's opening week. Featuring two players who are among the elite at their positions, this will be fascinating. Trent Cole was a pass rushing demon, finishing second in the league in Pass Rush Productivity last year and logging an overall pass rush grade of +31.9. His first foe is no slouch either. Joe Thomas was once again a premier pass blocker in 2011, finishing with a pass block grade of +26.7. How Thomas handles Cole will largely impact the battle on the other end of the line where rookie Mitchell Schwartz will line up across from Jason Babin. Babin is almost as dangerous as Cole, finishing fourth in Pass Rush Productivity in 2011 and tallying a pass rush grade of +26.8. The Browns would love to be able to slide protection towards Schwartz and help out the rookie, but if Cole is beating Thomas this won’t be possible. Staying out of 3rd-and-long situations where the Eagles like to unleash their “wide-9” defensive front will be paramount for Cleveland. If the Browns' tackles can’t slow down these two pass rush standouts, it will be a long day for Weeden.
Brandon Weeden vs. Juan Castillo
Castillo might be the most maligned member of the entire Eagles organization. After last season, when the defense took until December to show signs of life under his guidance, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Castillo would be reassigned this season. But Reid stood by his man and brought his defensive coordinator back for another run, hopeful that the defense that sparked a four-game winning streak to finish 2011 would be the same he sees all year in 2012. The first task for Castillo and his defense will be to rattle and confuse Weeden, the Browns' rookie quarterback.
Turning 29-years-old during the season, Weeden isn't the typical rookie and, having been a professional athlete since 2002 when he was drafted by the New York Yankees, won’t be as intimidated as many others. Weeden has garnered rave reviews for how quickly he picked up the offense and he'll surely be tested as the Eagle D will force him to make quick reads in order to beat them. That said, Castillo can run a rather vanilla scheme from time to time and Weeden must capitalize when given the opportunity. Castillo must prove that he has grown from last season and can baffle a rookie making his first professional start.
Browns Defensive Backs vs. Eagles Wide Receivers
With word coming out early in the week that Joe Haden, the Browns' best cornerback, has a pending suspension, this matchup became even more intriguing. Haden is expected to be available for the game this week and the Browns will need him to matchup with the Eagles' play-making wide receivers, Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Haden was very good last year posting a pass coverage grade of +10.1 and becoming one of the league’s best cover corners. Helping Haden deal with the Eagles' weapons will be a pair of ex-Eagles, Sheldon Brown and Dimitri Patterson who both had solid years in pass coverage in 2011.
Jackson and Maclin had almost the identical number of targets last season, neither having a great year. Jackson was distracted with contract issues and Maclin never broke out after a mysterious offseason illness. Both remain extremely dangerous and possess the speed that fits Reid’s offense perfectly–always a pass-first coach, Reid likes to throw early to open up a lead. If Jackson and Maclin are able to hit a few big plays on Haden, Brown, and Patterson, the Eagles' offense will be tough to defend all day. There is familiarity on both sides with Brown being a member of the Eagles for eight seasons, but who will that help more?
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