Eagles vs. Falcons Preview
The Eagles are prepared to host the Atlanta Falcons in a primetime matchup on Monday Night Football. The game marks the first one at Lincoln Financial Field in 2024. As Philadelphia is known for one of the best home-field advantages, there is an electric crowd waiting to fill the stands. The Falcons are moving past an 18-10 loss to the Steelers, looking to secure their first win of the season. As Philadelphia welcomes running back Saquon Barkley officially, there is a fair belief he will have a heavy workload on Monday night. With that being said, there are a few points of emphasis to touch on for the Eagles to secure their second victory.
This upcoming opportunity on Monday Night Football is pivotal for quarterback Jalen Hurts, as a stellar performance will gain momentum and confidence early in the season. As previously noted, Hurts did not have his best showcase in Week One against the Packers. Luckily, the most recently named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Saquon Barkley, is sure to take some pressure off Jalen. Against Atlanta, the ideal game plan should be continuing to give Barkley carries, while also letting Hurts get accustomed to offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s new system. Wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith looked as if they seamlessly transitioned to the new scheme in Week One, combining for 203 receiving yards. In this matchup, it will be vital for Hurts to continue developing his responses to the blitz, staying poised in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. Far too often, Hurts scrambles rather than moving through the pocket, leaving some plays to be wasted. For Jalen, this will be a significant test of the performance Philadelphia can expect this season.
As for the defense, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. Defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis will have a busy Monday night, with Robinson sure to be the bell-cow of the backfield for Atlanta. It will also be interesting to see if cornerback Quinyon Mitchell can replicate his impressive debut. Tight end Kyle Pitts will also be a player to watch, as he can give the middle of the field trouble for the opposition. It will be worthwhile to see how the Eagles respond if he begins the game strong. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has had his fair share of success against the Eagles in the past, so defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is sure to dial up pressure against Cousins. In his career, pressure has often caused havoc for Cousins, as shown by Cousins throwing two interceptions in Week One. It is also worth noting that Fangio has officially named third-year linebacker Nakobe Dean the starter. For Philadelphia, the opportunity is for the taking in hopes of their second victory on Monday night.
