The Falcons host the Eagles at the Georgia Dome for game One of Monday night’s double header. The game will kick-off at 7:10 PM. ET
Eagles Vs Falcons
BetOnline.ag has the betting line for this game set with the Eagles as 3 point favorites. The over/under on total points scored is 55 points. Check out our full review of BetOnline here.
My Pick
The Philadelphia Eagles are in year three of the Chip Kelly experiment, and it could be a make or break year for the head coach/general manager.
The Eagles have added some serious offensive weaponry; none bigger than Sam Bradford. The addition of Bradford to this Eagles offense didn’t seem like a match made in heaven back in March, when the former number one overall pick was acquired from Saint Louis, for former Eagles’ starter Nick Foles. But circumstances change and Bradford finally appears healthy. Despite obvious concerns of past injuries, the Eagles front office and their fans seem excited for the upgrade at signal caller.
However, Bradford’s potential is still outweighed by his risk of injury. Bradford has often been injured and was on the disabled list for the better part of two seasons. If Bradford is able to avoid the disabled list and play a full season, he just might salvage what was once a promising career. Against a weak Falcon’s secondary, Bradford should put up some high passing numbers leading Kelly’s up-tempo offense.
At the end of last season, the Atlanta Falcon’s parted ways with former head coach Mike Smith after finishing 3rd in the NFC South with a disastrous 6-10 record. New head coach, Dan Quinn, comes to the Falcons with a defensive mind. The former Seahawks defensive coordinator will have a difficult time defensively slowing down the Eagles’ offense.
The Eagles secondary is an improving defensive unit. This off-season, they’ve upgraded with the free-agent additions corners Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond. Both play a mean, physical style of defense attributed to their time in Seattle’s Legion of boom
Despite the upgrade at corner for the Eagles, expect Matt Ryan to connect repeatedly with Julio Jones and Roddy White to move chains. Both appear healthy and ready to contribute.
The Eagles defensive line is the strength of that unit. The two biggest disrupters are Vinny Curry and Connor Barwin. Last season Curry racked up eight sacks on the year, while Barwin chipped in fourteen and a half. If the Eagles can pressure Matt Ryan, the Falcons wide receivers won’t have enough time to get open.
This does not bode well for a Falcon’s offensive line in transition that’s thin on talent. The concern level for a formidable Eagles pass-defense is high. If Matt Ryan can’t avoid pressure, this game could get ugly for the Falcons.
Chip Kelly has only one speed and that’s faster. The Eagles offense puts a lot of pressure on their opponents with rapid fire play calling. This gets the offense a lot of attention for its intensity, but what’s not given enough attention is the stress put on the Eagles defense.
The Eagles might get a lead early in this one, but Kelly’s tendency to play too quick could burn him if his defense gets burnt out. If the Eagles and Chip Kelly can’t learn to manage the clock then opponents, like the Falcons, are going to have opportunities to stay in the game and put up points.
This has the potential for a high scoring affair; so, go for the over. The Falcons, under Dan Quinn, will surely try to emulate his success with the Seahawks defense, but Chip Kelly up-tempo style will be too much for the Falcon’s secondary. Expect the Eagles to get the victory in Bradford’s debut.
Play: Eagles -3 @ BetOnline.ag
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