The Eagles are coming off two straight losses to NFC East opponents.
The good news is the last time they were coming off back-to-back defeats, the Eagles (4-4) stomped the then-5-0 Vikings. This time, time they welcome the Falcons (6-3) to the Linc.
Eagles-Falcons kick off at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, but now it's time for our (cough) expert predictions for the Week 10 matchup.
Dave Zangaro (2-6)
Good news, Eagles fans! I'm picking the Falcons in this one!
The Eagles have clearly been a better team at home than on the road this year and have picked up some big wins at the Linc, but I just don't see this one going their way.
The Falcons' offense is just too dynamic. The Eagles might be able to slow them down some, but they won't stop Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the rest. This could turn into a shootout and I don't see the Eagles winning a shootout.
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Falcons 34, Eagles 27
Derrick Gunn (3-5)
Atlanta's offense is as balanced as they come, and deep in talent. Eight players have double-digit receptions, seven have catches of 35 yards or more and this top-ranking scoring offense has 42 pass plays of 20-plus yards. None of which is good news for an Eagles pass defense that has given up 28 players of 20-plus yards.
Carson Wentz had his best passing day of the season against the Giants, and if the Birds' offense doesn't get the ground game going to help control the clock and keep the Falcons' offense off the field, Wentz may have to put up 40 or more passes to help the Birds try to match the Falcons point-for-point.
This will be the Eagles' defense's biggest test this year. The good news is the Eagles will be motivated to defend their unbeaten record at the Linc.
The bad news is, Matt Ice will enjoy his homecoming.
Falcons 31, Eagles 23
Ray Didinger (3-5)
The Eagles have been like two different teams — very good at home, sloppy and inefficient on the road. The good news is they are home this week. The bad news is they are playing the Atlanta Falcons, who have the highest scoring offense in the league. Matt Ryan is having a career year (23 touchdown passes) and, yes, Julio Jones is the best receiver in the NFL, but Ryan has other big-time targets, too. No one talks about tight ends Jacob Tamme and Austin Hooper, but they have five touchdowns between them.
The Falcons' receivers against the Eagles' secondary is a mismatch, but at the Linc the Eagles have shown an ability to get a big pass rush (13 sacks in the three games) and the Atlanta line isn't exactly stout (22 sacks allowed), so if the Eagles can harass Ryan and throw off his rhythm, they can slow down this offense. On the other side, the Falcons' defense wasn't great to start with and their best corner Desmond Trufant may not play because of a sore shoulder. Opposing quarterbacks have a fat 102.2 quarterback rating against the Falcons, good news for Carson Wentz.
You have to score a lot of points to beat the Falcons, but it can be done against this defense. Call it a hunch but I think the Eagles will play well this week.
Eagles 30, Falcons 27
Andrew Kulp (4-4)
If Doug Pederson shows more of a commitment to the running game, as he claimed, the Eagles' offense should improve dramatically. This a defense Carson Wentz can attack, but he can't carry this team himself.
The Eagles' pass rush should show a little more vigor as well now that Bennie Logan is back. That will be the difference on the other side of the ball, not Julio Jones against their corners, as Matt Ryan spends much of the day throwing under pressure or on his back.
Eagles 31, Falcons 24
Corey Seidman (3-5)
This will be a competitive game because even if the Falcons go up 14-0, they don't have a shutdown defense. But they just have too many more weapons than the Eagles do and that will play out over four quarters, as it did in Dallas.
Falcons 33, Eagles 24
Andy Schwartz (3-5)
Looking for a reason the Eagles snap their funk and win this one?
They’re 3-0 at home.
Plus, the Atlanta Falcons are one of those dome teams. They’re different once they have to play outsi … wait, what?
Atlanta is 4-1 on the road. The Falcons beat the Bucs in Tampa on Sunday, but that’s no big deal. Tampa is 0-4 at home. But they’ve also won in Denver, Oakland and New Orleans.
That’s impressive.
What’s more, the Falcons lead the league in points per game (33.9) and are second behind New Orleans in yards (429.2).
Their defense (26th in yards, 28th in points) on the other hand is vulnerable.
So the Eagles’ D must rebound from last week (hey secondary, that’s you), and the offense must rediscover its September form.
Will it happen?
Sure, why not. Just when you think the wheels were falling off a few weeks ago, the Eagles regrouped. After two straight losses, they handed Minnesota its first loss. The Vikings have a fantastic defense but feckless offense. The Eagles’ defense won that game.
Now they’ve lost two straight again. And in comes a team with a dicey defense. It will be up to offense to win this one.
Can it?
With the help of a big play from the D/ST. Yeah, like in fantasy.
Eagles 31.3, Falcons 30.9
