Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preview
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
When: Sunday, September 11, 2016, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Browns (+4) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-4); total: 41.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
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Betting on the Cleveland Browns (+4)
After being cut by Washington, Griffin found a new home in Cleveland and he’ll be looking to rejuvenate its offense that mustered just 17.4 points per game last season. That’s a load of work for Griffin but at least the Browns have a better quarterback than any of the three they placed under center last year.
Griffin’s receiving crew includes tight end Gary Barnidge, rookie Corey Coleman, and quarterback-turned-wideout Terrelle Pryor.
Barnidge was a revelation in 2015, as the tight end led the Browns in receptions (79), receiving yards (1,043), and receiving touchdowns (9).
Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, meanwhile, will be teaming up to help Cleveland move the chains from the backfield. Both running backs must be excited to face the Eagles’ defense that was the worst again the run last season, when they gave up 134.6 rushing yards per game and 10 touchdowns to opponents.
Betting on the Philadelphia Eagles (-4)
Trading away Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings means a few of things for Philly. One is that they’re serious in their rebuilding effort. The other is that the man now for the Eagles is rookie quarterback Carson Wentz.
Wentz was a start quarterback in college, where he played for North Dakota State, but he’s not expected to have immediate impact for Philadelphia. That said, Wentz’s pro career might be in for a terrific start, considering that he’ll be up against the Browns’ defense that was a complete wasteland last season. The Browns were fourth worst in scoring defense, allowing 27.0 PPG, while surrendering 379.2 total yards per contest.
Wentz will also be protected by an offensive line currently graded by Pro Football Focus as seventh best in the NFL.
Although DeMarco Murray is gone, the Eagles, with Ryan Mathews now as their lead running back, should be able to navigate through and around Cleveland’s woeful run defense that let opponents cover 128.4 rushing yards per game.
Philadelphia is 3-1 SU/ATS in the last four games it was favored by four points or fewer.
Writer’s Prediction
Cleveland (+3) wins, 27-24.
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