Falcons at Eagles preview and predictions

Can the Eagles snap a two game losing streak against the Falcons today? Maybe. Atlanta comes to town with the best offense the Eagles will face all year, but the Falcons are facing arguably the best defense they’ll see all year. Something’s got to give. It might be the Falcons offense.

In Week 5, the Falcons visited the Broncos, and were held to just 23 points. They won, thanks to Denver scoring only 16 points. The following week, they visited the Seahawks, and were held to just 24 points, but gave up 26 and lost. As high powered as the Falcons are, they’re far from unbeatable.

However, Denver and Seattle have better, and healthier, corner backs than the Eagles to match up against the otherworldly Julio Jones. Dez Bryant caught 4 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown and Odell Beckham, Jr. caught 2 touchdowns in the last two weeks, so expect Jones to have a big day. That doesn’t guarantee a Falcons victory, Jones put up 139 yards and then 174 yards in back to back losses to the Seahawks and Chargers.

The difference in today’s game might actually be the Falcons’ defense. They are 28th in scoring, 24th in DVOA, and don’t really do anything well. Vic Beasley has 7.5 sacks, but the Falcons are 17th in adjusted sack percentage. At 4.0 yards per carry against, the Falcons defense ranks 11th, but on the road they are averaging 4.2 against. All season long the Eagles have played better in the 2nd half of games, the Falcons defense has been marginally worse in the 2nd half.

The 6-3 Falcons are rightfully the favorites in this one, but this seems like it’s anyone’s game. Atlanta has shown that their offense can be slowed and beaten, and coming off a prime time divisional blowout win, on the road and with a few extra days of rest, this has the ingredients for a so called “trap game.” The Eagles have shown they can beat good teams at home, having blown out the Steelers and then beating the then-undefeated Vikings, and the team has their backs against a wall, fall to 4-5 and they’re long shots for the playoffs, win and they could be sitting in a wild card spot at the end of the day.

Game Predictions

Score: Falcons 27, Eagles 23

Bold Prediction: Dorial Green-Beckham touchdown

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