Philadelphia Eagles vs. Cleveland Browns: Preview and Prediction

For the second consecutive year, the Philadelphia Eagles open the season with what's supposed to be a walk in the park. But while the Eagles did take care of business in last year's opener in St. Louis, they proved as the season wore on that walking in the park wasn't quite as easy as you'd think.

There's gotta be a joke in there about the safeness of Philadelphia parks, but let's just move on.

What Philly Must Do to Win, Offensive Edition

Keep Michael Vick upright. Nick Foles had a fantastic preseason, but this is a whole new ballgame. The Browns had the league's second-rated pass defense last year and Joe Haden is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, so Vick will be needed.

What Philly Must Do to Win, Defensive Edition

Control Trent Richardson. There shouldn't be much concern regarding Brandon Weeden and that receiving corps, but rookie running backs are unpredictable and Philadelphia had some epic struggles against the run last season.

How Philly Can Lose

If the Eagles swing and miss on tackles and Richardson explodes.

What We Learned from the Last Meeting

Almost nothing. Don't read into anything that happened in that game because it was backups vs. backups. Nobody wanted to reveal any secrets and game-planning was kept at a minimum.

However, if there's one thing to note, it's that Weeden completed only nine of 20 passes against second-teamers. Weeden might be in for a tough day.

Five Most Important Non-Quarterbacks

Trent Cole, Todd Herremans, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Cole is the most effective pass-rusher and the top run defender up front, which will be huge against Richardson. Herremans will be on an island on Vick's blind side with King Dunlap likely to get help. McCoy and Jackson are obviously Vick's key weapons. And DRC could be targeted often opposite the stout Nnamdi Asomugha.

Injury Analysis, Eagles Edition

Out: S Colt Anderson (knee), WR Riley Cooper (collarbone)

They've been preparing for life without Cooper all summer, so it's unlikely to hurt them. Look for rookie Damaris Johnson to step up.

Questionable: RB Dion Lewis (hamstring)

It'll be interesting to see if Bryce Brown gets an opportunity to spell McCoy, but this shouldn't be a game-changer.

Probable: S Nate Allen (hamstring), DE Jason Babin (calf), LB Jamar Chaney (hamstring), DT Fletcher Cox (knee), LB Casey Matthews (ankle), T Nate Menkin (shoulder)

It's a bit worrisome that Cox's knee is acting up this week, but the Eagles are very healthy headed into the opener.

Injury Analysis, Browns Edition

Cleveland hasn't released designations yet, but there's a chance Richardson is less than 100 percent as he eases back from an early-August knee scope. Ben Watson might also be limited with a knee injury. 

The Browns would feel quite a lot better had Richardson been able to take part in preseason action. There's a chance he'll be rusty Sunday, and he's a key to success.

B/R NFC East Blog Prediction

The Browns are one of the weakest teams in football on both sides of the ball. I think Jabaal Sheard could have a big day and Haden can have a major impact on this game, but I still don't think they'll have an answer for LeSean McCoy.

And defensively, the league's top pass rush should have a field day against Weeden.

Eagles 38, Browns 20