As training camp approaches let’s take a look at the 2016 schedule for the Cleveland Browns. After a terrible 3-13 season just a year ago, the team hopes that once rookie sensation Robert Griffin III, can display his magic this season.
Griffin III was drafted in the first-round of the 2012 NFL draft out of Baylor University. In his rookie season, Griffin took a Washington Redskins team that was 5-11 a year before to the playoffs. He threw for 3,200 yards, earned 20 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions; a 102.4 passer rating.
The addition of new head coach Hue Jackson should open up the vertical passing game for Griffin. If the Browns want to have a shot at the playoffs this season, the offensive line needs to protect their quarterback.
Let’s look at the Cleveland Browns’ first game of the 2016 season.
Week One: at Philadelphia Eagles:
The Browns will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in a week one matchup on September 11th. The Browns started off the 2015 season with a road game and lost miserably to the New York Jets. The Eagles went 7-9 last season and hope that Sam Bradford and newly acquired head coach Doug Peterson can get something going this season.
The team selected Carson Wentz with the second overall pick but he will not dress during the first game of the season. The organization has Bradford listed as the number one quarterback on the roster, Case Daniels as the number two, and Carson Wentz as the third-string. Giving Wentz time to develop for a few seasons will help this organization out tremendously. Hopefully this season has a different ending for the Cleveland Browns. In my honest opinion, I believe the Browns will start the 2016 season off with a victory.
Why They Will Win:
Well it’s simple… Robert Griffin III started his NFL career successfully in his first game against the New Orleans Saints. He went 19/26 for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns. He helped his team win their first matchup on the road against a team that went 13-3 just a year ago. I can tell you one thing: the Eagles were not even close to 13-3.
RGIII started the game red hot throwing 6/6 on the Redskins first procession. After the Saints scored off of a Jimmy Graham 20 yard touchdown, Griffin threw an absolute strike to wide receiver Pierre Garcon for an 88 yard touchdown.
The key to winning against the Eagles will be simple: have RGIII throw short to intermediate routes and let his receivers do the rest. This will open up the play action pass and as you can see it worked out perfect against the once 13-3 New Orleans Saints.
Staying poised under pressure needs to happen for the fourth-year quarterback. The Eagles will hope to improve their defense from a year ago and a healthy and ferocious defensive end in Fletcher Cox needs to be watched all game long. Griffin needs to be extremely accurate when hitting the play-action deep passes, considering safety Malcolm Jenkins had a terrific 2015 season earning himself 2 interceptions and returning one 100 yards on Tom Brady in a week 13 matchup.
I also believe if the Browns can go into Lincoln Financial Field and get the running game going they will win this football game. Robert Griffin III is dead accurate with his deep throws on play-action and if the Eagles allow some rushing yards and the short to intermediate routes then the Browns will come away with a victory.
All Time Series Record: 31-16 (Browns lead)
What do you guys think?
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