Game : Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday 9/6 @ 8:20pm
Point Spread : Atlanta Falcons +2.5
Money Line : ATL +115 , PHI -135
Over / Under : 45.5 (-110)
Key Players injured : Falcons : Ben Garland (Quest – calf, hasn’t practiced), Josh Harris (Quest – hip, hasn’t practiced), Blidi Wreh-Wilson (Quest – Shoulder, hasn’t practiced), Isaiah Oliver (Quest – Ankle, limited practice) Eagles : Carson Wentz (out – knee), Alshon Jeffery (Doubtful – Shoulder), Jay Ajayi (Quest – Foot, Limited – Expected to play)
Facts to know:
Fact 1: Alshon Jeffery is more valuable with Nick Foles under center than Carson Wentz. Jeffery averaged 5 targets a game with Wentz and 10.5 with Foles (Jeffery will be out week 1)
Fact 2: Zach Ertz is capable no matter the starter, both targeted Ertz on average 7-8 times a game
Fact 3: Falcons cannot stop Fletcher Cox
Fact 4: Eagles were 3-1 ATS in similar home games last year
Fact 5: Eagles run to pass ratio is 50/50 at home vs 60/40 on the road
Fact 6: Matt Ryan in 2017 was better on the road (64.9%, 7.8 Y/A, 12:5 TD:INT, 96.1 Rating) vs at home (64.6%, 7.3, 9:7, 86.6) despite being sacked 66% more (9 @ home, 15 on road)
Fact 7: Falcons under Dan Quinn have never lost the opening road game.
Fact 8: Eagles are 13-3 at home under Pederson.
Fact 9: Eagles were 3-3 ATS with Foles under center and 10-3 ATS with Wentz in 2017
Fact 10: Eagles were 7-3 ATS at home (2-2 under Wentz), Falcons were 3-7 ATS on the road in 2017
So how does all this translate into the game? Tough. This game can really go either way. No one would be shocked to see Atlanta win 28-24 or the Eagles win 17-13. I lean towards the first with a little lower scoring affair. With Foles starting for the Eagles, there is bound to be some struggles early on offense against one of the NFL’s better young defensive units as there was in the divisional round last year. On those same lines, Falcons offense has yet to show any cohesion since Sarkisian took over OC duties, and Fletcher Cox and co wont prove to be the best time to go recognize the potential. The Falcons prove to be better at QB and it’s enough to squeak out of Philly with a slight win. Score prediction : Falcons 23 Eagles 20
Betting favorites:
Under 45.5, otherwise pass as the money line isn’t enticing enough to go Falcons in a same as tight as this match-up will be
-Sniper
The Other Side Sports 