Click the link for an updated version of this story: Eagles 29, Browns 10: QB Carson Wentz begins NFL career by punishing Cleveland for passing on him in draft
Philadelphia Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz got off to a hot start Sunday, and the Browns trailed 13-7 at halftime of the regular-season opener between the two teams at Lincoln Financial Field.
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 quarterback Robert Griffin III 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 their 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 as cornerback Joe Haden covered him. 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 jumped 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 rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman on second-and-5 at Philadelphia's 28 was tipped by middle linebacker Jordan Hicks and intercepted by safety Rodney McLeod with 3:43 left in the second quarter.
The Eagles then marched 60 yards in 10 plays to set up successful Sturgis' 38-yard field goal, which bolstered their lead to 13-7 with 27 seconds left in the second quarter.
The Browns got the ball back with 27 seconds left in the first half. 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.