The Atlanta Falcons (0-1) are geared up to secure their first victory of the season as they go head-to-head with the Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) in this week’s Monday Night Football matchup. The game will take place at Lincoln Financial Field, kicking off at 8:15 PM ET.
The Falcons are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 18-10 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where they were favored by four points. Meanwhile, the Eagles come off an exciting 34-29 win against the Green Bay Packers, having been two-point favorites in that contest.
Historically, Philadelphia has had the upper hand over Atlanta, winning six out of their last ten matchups, with their most recent encounter occurring in 2021.
Atlanta Aiming to Avoid an Early Season Setback
The Atlanta Falcons entered the season with optimism, bolstered by the offseason trade for quarterback Kirk Cousins. However, the Raheem Morris era began with a tough loss at home against the Steelers. The Falcons are determined to prevent an 0-2 start when they face the Eagles on Monday night.
In their opening game, Atlanta managed to score just 10 points, with 137 passing yards and 89 rushing yards. Cousins recorded a 62 percent completion rate, throwing for 155 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Bijan Robinson led the ground game with 18 carries for 68 yards, while Ray-Ray McCloud III contributed with four catches for 52 yards.
Defensively, Atlanta performed reasonably well, conceding only 18 points. They will need to replicate that effort against Philadelphia if they wish to secure a victory.
Cornerback Antonio Hamilton is listed as questionable due to a groin injury.
Eagles Pursuing Back-to-Back Wins
After needing a strong second half to defeat the Packers, the Eagles enter their home opener with the goal of securing their second consecutive win against the Falcons. Philadelphia’s offense was potent in their first game, scoring 34 points and accumulating 268 passing yards along with 144 rushing yards.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 59 percent of his passes, totaling 278 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against Green Bay. Saquon Barkley made a significant impact in his debut with the Eagles, rushing for 109 yards on 24 carries and scoring two touchdowns. A.J. Brown also shined, catching five passes for 119 yards and one touchdown.
Despite the offensive success, Philadelphia’s defense struggled, allowing 29 points to the Packers. They will need to tighten their defensive efforts to continue their winning streak.
Linebacker Devin White is also questionable for this matchup due to an ankle injury.
Strategic Insights for Falcons vs. Eagles
The Eagles showcased a formidable offensive strategy in their opening game, effortlessly moving the ball on both passing and rushing plays. Conversely, the Falcons faced a lackluster Steelers offense, known for its struggles in recent seasons. Atlanta’s defense did well in limiting points, but they must be wary of the Eagles’ diverse offensive weapons.
The Falcons need a more effective offensive performance to compete, as they averaged only four yards per carry against the Steelers. Cousins appeared out of sync, suffering two sacks and throwing two interceptions. Expect the Eagles to focus on neutralizing Robinson, forcing Cousins to rely heavily on his passing game, which may not yield favorable results. Analysts favor Philadelphia to cover the spread in this contest.
