The Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles wrap up Week 2 of the NFL season with a Monday Night Football bout at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles were able to hold on to their season-opening win in Brazil against the Packers showing flashes of big play ability, highlighted by Saquon Barkley’s three-touchdown debut in midnight green.
Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins and the Falcons did not look impressive in their 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at home last week, but Cousins and the Falcons have playmakers that can pose a threat.
Below is a +800 SGP to take advantage of.
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Falcons vs Eagles: NFL Week 2 Game Info
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024
Time: 8:15 PM ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TV channel: ESPN
Falcons vs Eagles: NFL Week 2 Betting Info
Spread: Atlanta Falcons +5.5 | Philadelphia Eagles -5.5
Moneyline: Atlanta Falcons +200 | Philadelphia Eagles -240
Total: Over/Under 46.5
DeVonta Smith 60+ Receiving Yards
Smith will be the top wide receiver on the depth chart for the Eagles with A.J. Brown missing this contest due to a hamstring injury. Smith has thrived in the shadows of Brown, but he has shown he can be a top wideout on any offense in the NFL. Smith was targeted eight times, hauling in seven catches for 84 yards in Week 1. He came up with some clutch catches late and did everything but score a touchdown in the win against Green Bay.
Last year, when Brown missed the playoff game against Tampa, Smith dazzled, racking up 148 yards on eight catches and was targeted 12 times as Jalen Hurts’ go-to option in the loss. As for trends, Smith has surpassed 60 or more yards in nine games, including the playoff game, a year ago and in 10 of his last 17 games. He shouldn’t have a problem surpassing this number with relative ease against a Falcons secondary that had trouble limiting Steelers’ wideout George Pickens (six catches, 85 yards).
Kirk Cousins 225+ Passing Yards
Cousins once again pays a visit to South Philly, this time with the Falcons. Historically, Cousins struggles in primetime games, 3-10 in Monday Night Games specifically, but he has had success against the Eagles. The veteran is 6-3 in nine meetings against the Eagles, throwing for 3,341 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He averages 303.7 yards per game against Philadelphia in his career.
He also showed no problem moving the ball when he and the Vikings came to the Linc last year where he threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-28 Eagles win.
He faces an Eagles defense that is still learning a new scheme and embedding younger cornerbacks – a recipe that could bode well for the 13-year vet. The Eagles allowed 260 yards to the young Jordan Love who lacks the experience Cousins has.
Also, this could be a game where the Falcons will need to try and strike for home run plays to keep up with this potent Philadelphia offense. All of this makes a nice recipe for a bounce back for the Falcons’ quarterback with Cousins saying that his Achillies injury wasn’t the reason for his poor play against the Steelers.
Saquon Barkley 2+ Touchdowns
This might be the boldest leg in our parlay, but is it really that bold after what Barkley did in his Eagles’ debut last week? He joined Terrell Owens as the only Eagle to score three touchdowns in their team’s debut and with Brown out, Barkley will be expected to be a key source of the offense, for good reason.
This is by far the best team Barkley has played on, the best offense he’s been a part of, and the best offensive line he will work with. This season has all the makings for a memorable one for Barkley and the Eagles. At +290, this is a solid value and also not that outlandish of a play. Barkley scored 2+ touchdowns five times last year being the only true threat on the offensive side of the ball.
Moreso, Barkley had 11 touches inside the redzone in the Week 1 win against the Packers. The “Brotherly Shove”, which wasn’t fool-proof like it was last year with Jason Kelce leading the way at center, might not be the go-to play for the offense this year with the ball inside the five-yard line. That gives Barkley plenty of chances to score short-yardage touchdowns on top of his home run play ability to rip off a big run for an electrifying score.
REUTERS/Carla Carniel
