It’s the first pre-season game of the year, I have to watch. Earlier this week, the Packers announced that most of their starters would start during pre-season. Green Bay had a successful season last year and attribute it to the fact the starters played in the pre-season. Similar to the Browns going to West Virginia again this year, based on what happened last year. Who says NFL teams aren’t superstitious. The Browns announced some of their starters will play. Browns fans won’t see Deshaun Watson, Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Myles Garrett, Quinton Jefferson, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson, Juan Thornhill and Grant Delpit.

The main concern for the Browns is the tackle position. Both starting left tackle Jedrick Wills and starting right tackle Jack Conklin will not play. James Hudson and Dawand Jones will start in their place. I do expect the rest of the starting offensive line to play a series or two. I’m very interested in seeing how UDRA guard Javion Cohen and third round draft pick guard Zak Zinter play. At quarterback, Jameis Winston will probably play the first quarter followed by Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. On defense, I’m interested in watching defensive tackle Siaki Ika, defensive end Isaiah McGuire, linebackers Devin Bush and Nathaniel Watson, cornerbacks Cameron Mitchell, Myles Harden and Kahlef Hailassie and safeties Ronnie Hickman and Brady Breeze.

Last year the Browns averaged 23.3 points a game and allowed 21.3 points a game finishing 11-6. Green Bay averaged 22.5 points a game and allowed 20.6 points a game finishing 9-8. The packers will start Jordan Love at quarterback and hope he will continue to play well. From week nine, Love had a QBR of 90.7, the league’s highest. Second year wide receiver Jayden Reed will hope to build on a very impressive rookie year. He had eight scores and according to Pro Football Focus, recorded a 74.9 receiving grade. Second year cornerback Cameron Mitchell will get first crack at covering Reed due to an injury to starting slot corner Greg Newsome. Oddsmakers have the Packers at +2.5.