The Cleveland Browns will kick off the 2012 season at home against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday September 9th, 2012 at 1 PM ET.
You can bet on this game now at BetOnline Sportsbook and The eagles are 7.5 point favorites with a total of 42.5 for this game.
The Browns looked to improve their offense via the draft by selecting Alabama running back Trent Richardson with the third overall pick, a player considered balanced and explosive in all aspects of the position and who will truly be a workhorse and a valuable weapon on offense for Cleveland. Quarterback Brandon Weeden is expected to take over as the starter over Colt McCoy this year.
The Eagles run defense was not up to par on 2011 surrendering an average of 112 yards per game and eleven touchdowns, enough to rank 16th overall. In an attempt to solve this they drafted Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox with a first-round pick and Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks with their first second-round choice. They backed those picked up with Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry and Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin. Cox and Kendricks figure to be starters right away.
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The Cleveland Browns were even more vulnerable to the run last year, surrendering an average of 147 yards per game. Plenty of that had to do with lack of depth on the line and an offense that couldn’t stay on the field. With an offense that should be able to run the ball better and sustain drives and a little more depth, including signing DT Phil Taylor, the run defense should be better this season.
We like the Eagles for the simple fact that they appear as a more solidified team and with better weapons on offense. Although we believe Cleveland will be better on 2012, it might be too much to ask for a rookie quarterback and a rookie running back to take down the Eagles in their first NFL game ever. Bet the Eagles to cover at Betonline Sportsbook!
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