It’s completely uncommon for a team to trade its starting quarterback just a week before the regular season, but that was the case with the Philadelphia Eagles. They sent Sam Bradford to the Vikings in return for first and fourth round draft picks, and are now planning on using No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns if Wentz is sufficiently recovered from a preseason rib injury. The switch at quarterback has dropped the Eagles’ odds of winning this game, although they are still the favorites against a lower-tier opponent.
Watch this regular season Week 1 matchup live on Sunday, September 11, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cleveland Browns +3.5
Philadelphia Eagles -3.5
Over/Under 41
Odds Analysis
Bradford is a veteran and would have given the Eagles a better chance at winning. Philadelphia traded up to grab Wentz and believe he can be a key piece moving forward, although there will be growing pains early on.
That’s why the spread has dropped, even though the Browns are projected to be one of the worst teams in the league. It would not be a surprise to see this one be sloppy and low-scoring because of the lack of offensive talent on both teams.
Injury Report
Carson Wentz -- The Eagles signal-caller cracked his ribs during the preseason and is hoping to be healed up now that he’s got a huge opportunity. This ailment didn’t seem to matter much with Bradford in place as the starter, but the trade has really shaken things up. If Wentz can’t play, backup Chase Daniel is expected to grab the reins.
Josh Gordon -- The Browns’ star receiver was suspended all of last season and will also have to sit out the first four this year after playing in the preseason. He is a dynamic athlete when on the field, but that has been sporadic in recent years because of off-field issues. Gordon won’t play in this one, which will make life tougher on Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Coaching Angle
This will be the debut for both of the head coaches. Hue Jackson has taken over the Browns after plenty of success in the past, and he is aiming to turn around the moribund franchise. Jackson is known for his work with quarterbacks, so don’t be surprised if Griffin plays better than many expect.
Even though Jackson is a solid head coach, there is just a huge talent deficiency in Cleveland. There is a new front office in addition to the coaching change, and the veterans on the roster were cleaned out as the Browns will aim to start building from the ground up.
The Eagles fired divisive coach Chip Kelly and brought in former Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson to take over. Philadelphia won’t run the same fast tempo that Kelly is known for, which could lead to a decrease in scoring.
Pederson will aim to put Wentz in optimal positions, and could rely heavily on running back Ryan Mathews to take the bulk of the offensive load in this game against the Browns.
Free ATS Pick
The prospect of starting a rookie quarterback in the first game of the season is scary. Wentz isn’t expected to be great out of the gate, and there is still the chance he misses this game with the rib injury, so don’t expect the Eagles to dominate.
Cleveland isn’t expected to win very many games this season but this is a golden opportunity to steal an early one on the road. Griffin is aiming to resurrect his career and will have his chance to captain the Browns offense.
This one will likely be ugly. Neither side has an overflow of offensive skill, and below average quarterbacks could mean a low-scoring affair. While Philadelphia likely won’t look great, the combination of a more talented defense and the home field advantage should be enough for a slight victory, although it is the Browns who will cover the spread by a hair.
NFL Odds: Eagles 20, Browns 17
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