Despite a 7-9 record in 2015, there’s strong reason for optimism among the Philadelphia fanbase. GM Howie Roseman pulled off a remarkable trade when he shipped Sam Bradford to Minnesota for a first-round pick, and that means the Carson Wentz era starts sooner than expected. Wentz played sparingly in the preseason but got the starting nod from head coach Doug Pederson. It’s a favorable matchup for Wentz and the Eagles, as Cleveland is the consensus pick to finish with the first overall pick in next year’s draft. Here are five key matchups worth following during Sunday’s action.
RDE Brandon Graham/Vinny Curry vs. LT Joe Thomas
Last offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles made it a priority to re-sign former first-round pick Brandon Graham to a four-year, $26 million deal. This offseason, the organization extended Vinny Curry for five more years at a surprising five-year, $47.25 million contract, a seemingly ridiculous amount to pay for a player who’s never started a game in his NFL career. Both Graham and Curry will be playing a pass-rushing defensive end role in Jim Schwartz’s new 4-3 defense, and they’ll have a lot to prove as they go up against the game’s best offensive tackle for the last decade, Joe Thomas. Graham will likely start the game, and Curry’s snaps will be limited if he plays at all (questionable due to a knee injury). Graham has never lacked in getting quarterback hurries – last year, he picked up 45 of them – but they haven’t always translated to sacks. Getting past Thomas won’t be easy, but a well-timed strip sack and fumble recovery could be the difference in this contest.
QB Carson Wentz vs. Cleveland secondary
The future of the Philadelphia Eagles is now. It’s Carson Wentz time, and the No. 2 overall pick in the draft is set to make his first NFL start, despite seeing minimal action in the preseason while dealing with a rib injury. Wentz has franchise quarterback potential, given his size, arm strength, and mobility, and he’s a risk taker who won’t play it safe in Week 1. He’s going to take his chances against a Cleveland defense that allowed the fourth-most touchdown passes in 2015, and lost ballhawking safety Tashaun Gipson in the offseason. Wentz will likely turn the ball over at least once, but his upside is high enough that he’s going to be an exciting player to watch.
Jim Schwartz’s defense vs. Robert Griffin III
New Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s last work as a coordinator was presiding over the 2014 Buffalo Bills, taking the unit from the 20th-ranked scoring defense to the fourth. The Eagles were dismal last year, finishing 28th in points allowed, 30th in yards allowed, and dead-last in rushing yards allowed, but there’s talent to be found on this roster. Schwartz runs an aggressive 4-3 defense that should bring out the best in pass-rushers Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and Vinny Curry. Cox was a stud as a two-gapping 3-4 defensive end, but he’ll be even better as a defensive tackle who can blast through the ‘A’ gap. Graham and Curry are best suited for defensive end roles. The rest of the front seven – Bennie Logan, Mychal Kendricks, Jordan Hicks, Connor Barwin, and Nigel Bradham – is lethal, especially against a battered quarterback like Robert Griffin III, who frequently displays a tendency to hold the ball too long, take unnecessary hits, and run at the first sign of trouble. The secondary isn’t the strong suit in Philly, so it will be up to the defensive line to put pressure on Griffin.
C Jason Kelce vs. NT Danny Shelton
Jason Kelce will have a real test when he faces 330-pound two-gap nose tackle Danny Shelton, last year’s first-round pick. Kelce is one of the lightest centers in the league, weighing in at just a shade over 280 pounds, and while that helps him get to the second level with ease to pick up linebackers, he may need left guard Allen Barbre or right guard Brandon Brooks to assist in helping block Shelton. Shelton wasn’t particularly imposing as a rookie; in fact, failing to pick up a single sack. But he was a top-12 pick for a reason, and he has a 50-pound size advantage on the man he’ll be lining up against. Kelce will need to win this battle in order for Carson Wentz and Ryan Mathews to have good games.
RB Ryan Mathews vs. Cleveland defense
On a game-by-game basis, Ryan Mathews is a top-10 running back in the league. The problem for him has always been staying healthy. The 28-year-old veteran missed three games last year due to a groin injury, then underwent offseason surgery while also dealing with a sprained ankle. Mathews should be at full strength against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, and this is a defense he should tear up. Mathews averaged an impressive 5.1 yards per carry in 2015, and he’s against a Browns defense that ranked 30th in the league last year in rushing yards allowed. The Browns are without defensive linemen Desmond Bishop (non-football injury list) and Armonty Bryant (suspended). Game flow should see the Philadelphia Eagles control the ball against a Cleveland team loaded with rookies. Mathews should clear 100 yards on the ground and touch the ball anywhere from 20-25 times.
