Know your Eagles enemy: Are the Falcons vulnerable heading into week 2?

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History

The Eagles and Falcons have faced each other 31 in the regular season and four times in the playoffs. The Eagles are 17-13-1 against them in the regular season, winning the last two. They are also 3-1 against the Falcons in the playoffs. Overall, including postseason, the Eagles have won the last three against Atlanta. 

Predictions

So last week I predicted the Eagles to stomp on the Redskins 34-17. Well, the Redskins beat that number in the first half. Oh well, still an Eagles win.

This time around, I expect the Eagles to win by a wider margin than the five points they won by last week. Terrible secondary for the Falcons = big time points for the Eagles. Eagles win 41-23.

The loss of Chris Lindstrom is a big one for Atlanta and as a result, I think we can expect a dominant outing from the defensive line. If the Falcons struggle to run the ball as they did against Minnesota (given the Eagles stout run defense) it could be another long day at the office for Matty Ice.

Stat line predictions:

  • Wentz: 32/40 for 350 yards.  Four touchdowns
  • Sanders: 10 rushes for 49 yards.  2 receptions for 25 yards. 1 receiving touchdown.
  • Howard: 9 rushes for 52 yards, 1 rushing touchdown.
  • Ertz: 7 receptions for 60 yards, 1 touchdown.
  • Jackson: 6 receptions for 80 yards.
  • Jeffery: 6 receptions for 50 yards.
  • Goedert: 1 red zone touchdown.
  • Cox: 2 sacks
  • Barnett: 1 sack

Last week’s predictions (real stat line in parenthesis):

  • Wentz: 31/39 for 330 yards.  3 touchdowns. (28/39 for 313 yards. 3 touchdowns)
  • Sanders: 12 rushes for 50 yards. 1 touchdown. (11 rushes for 25 yards)
  • Howard: 10 rushes for 44 yards.  1 receiving touchdown. (6 carries for 44 yards)
  • Jackson: 5 receptions for 110 yards, 75 yard touchdown catch to begin the game. (8 receptions for 154 yards. 2 touchdowns.  Longest touchdown was 53 yards)
  • Jeffery: 8 receptions for 70 yards. (5 receptions for 49 yards. 1 touchdown)
  • Ertz: 7 receptions for 50 yards. (5 receptions for 54 yards)
  • Goedert: 1 red zone touchdown. (no touchdowns)

 

Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports