PHILADELPHIA: Rookie Carson Wentz sure doesn’t look like he’ll have a hard time developing into a top-20 NFL quarterback. He may already be one.
Wentz immediately burned the Browns for their decision to pass on him in April’s draft by trading the second overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. He completed 22-of-37 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating of 101, helping the Eagles prevail 29-10 against the Browns in the regular-season opener Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Browns’ NFL record for consecutive losses in openers extended to 12. They’re now 1-17 in openers since their rebirth in 1999, and coach Hue Jackson’s first real game with the team was spoiled.
Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta provided the Eagles with bulletin board material in July when he told ESPN Cleveland WKNR (850-AM) the franchise chose to forgo Wentz because it didn’t believe he would develop into a top-20 NFL quarterback. The Eagles disagreed and took Wentz No. 2 overall out of North Dakota State.
Of course, no one will know for years whether the Browns are right about Wentz, but based on his professional premiere, it sure does look like they’ll be wrong.
Quarterback Robert Griffin III, the free-agent acquisition the Browns elected to roll with instead of Wentz, struggled to find rhythm and accuracy. He finished 12-of-26 passing for 190 yards with an interception and a passer rating of 55.
Griffin also appeared to suffer an injury late in the game. Griffin absorbed a big hit with his left arm and shoulder when he collided with cornerback Jalen Mills as he ran out of bounds on third-and-13 from the Browns’ 4. He was shaken up and walked gingerly to the sideline after a failed fourth-down conversion with 3:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. Griffin, though, returned to the game for the Browns’ last possession.
The Browns couldn’t capitalize on a chance to take the lead early in the second half, and wasted opportunities haunted them throughout the game.
Three plays after rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman made his first NFL catch for 58 yards in front of cornerback Nolan Carroll and safety Rodney McLeod, the Browns faced third-and-10 from the Eagles’ 17. Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins had his man beat, but Griffin threw off target and missed him in the back corner of the end zone. The Browns settled for Patrick Murray’s successful 35-yard field goal and cut the Eagles’ lead to 13-10 with 13:57 left in the third quarter.
The Eagles offense stalled during the ensuing series, but the Browns helped them score anyway.
On first-and-10 at the Browns’ 15, center Cameron Erving fired a shotgun snap over Griffin’s head. The ball rolled out the back of the end zone for a safety, giving the Eagles a 15-10 edge with 10:49 left in the third quarter. Erving struggled with shotgun snaps throughout training camp and the preseason.
The Eagles used the momentum immediately to generate a nine-play, 73-yard scoring drive. They converted on fourth-and-4 when Wentz and tight end Zach Ertz hooked up over the middle for 5 yards. On the next play, Wentz threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor, who took advantage of cornerback Joe Haden’s poor technique to gain separation. Agholor caught Wentz’s perfect pass to the front right corner of the end zone as the Eagles built a 22-10 cushion with 6:17 left in the third quarter.
Running back Ryan Matthews rushed for a 1-yard touchdown as the Eagles enhanced their lead to 29-10 with 1:12 left in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles led 13-7 at halftime.
Wentz dominated during the first regular-season series of his NFL career. He completed 4-of-5 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown, leading the Eagles on a nine-play, 75-yard drive. Wentz capped the march by connecting with wide receiver Jordan Matthews in the end zone for a 19-yard scoring strike. Matthews beat nickel cornerback Tramon Williams on a corner route and caught the pass, allowing the Eagles to seize a 7-0 lead with 9:50 left in the first quarter.
The Browns went three-and-out on their first two possessions.
Pro Bowl tight end Gary Barnidge dropped a pass to start it, and Griffin ended it with a 4-yard run on third-and-9.
The Eagles’ next possession stalled on third-and-7 at their 38 when rookie outside linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah batted down Wentz’s pass.
Then the Browns went three-and-out and summoned Britton Colquitt to punt. Eagles two-time Pro Bowler Darren Sproles returned the punt 40 yards to the Browns’ 42. The Eagles, though, did no damage despite the excellent field position. Inside linebacker Chris Kirksey sacked Wentz for a 4-yard loss on third-and-4 at the Browns’ 24, and Caleb Sturgis followed with a missed 46-yard field goal with 47 seconds left in the first quarter.
It didn’t take long for Sturgis and the Eagles to rebound.
Barnidge dropped a short pass for a would-be first down on third-and-5 at the Browns’ 41. The Browns lined up to punt but faked it, only to have running back Duke Johnson tackled for a 6-yard loss. The Eagles marched to the Browns’ 4, where Wentz threw high and out of the end zone while targeting wide receiver Jordan Matthews with Haden in coverage. Sturgis made a 22-yard field goal to extend the Eagles’ lead to 10-0 with 12:30 left in the second quarter.
The Browns finally struck back.
On the first snap of a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive, Griffin and wide receiver Terrelle Pryor connected for an 11-yard gain and the offense’s first first down with 12:23 left in the second quarter. They later hooked up for a 44-yard gain, with Pryor jumping over cornerback Nolan Carroll to grab the pass on a go route.
Griffin rolled right on third-and-goal at the 8 and fired a pass intended for Johnson at the goal line. Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins drew a pass interference penalty while defending Johnson, giving the Browns first-and-goal at the 2. The next play, running back Isaiah Crowell bolted left for a 2-yard touchdown, and the Browns trimmed their deficit to 10-7 with 9:11 left in the second quarter.
The Browns were driving again after a three-and-out by the Eagles, but Griffin’s pass intended for Coleman on second-and-5 at Philadelphia’s 28 was tipped by middle linebacker Jordan Hicks and intercepted by McLeod with 3:43 left in the second quarter.
The Eagles then marched 60 yards in 10 plays to set up Sturgis’ 38-yard field goal, which bolstered their lead to 13-7 with 27 seconds left in the second quarter.
With 10 seconds remaining on third-and-8 at Cleveland’s 44, Crowell caught a pass from Griffin, gained 14 yards and appeared to get out of bounds with a second or two left. However, the clock ran out, and the officials sent both teams to the locker room. The Browns had two timeouts left.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.