Nowadays when you win the Super Bowl, you are allowed to host the first game of the following season. That’s what the Philadelphia Eagles will do as they will put up their Super Bowl banner before taking on the Atlanta Falcons in a playoff rematch Thursday. Philly is -2.5 in the NFL Odds.
Nick Foles had much more success as the Eagles’ starting quarterback during the playoffs than he did after replacing Wentz in the regular season. He is coming off a rocky preseason, though, going 16-of-26 for 171 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and a pair of lost fumbles and was sacked six times.
Jeffery (shoulder) passed his physical on Friday but is still expected to miss the first two weeks of the regular season. At least he’s finally trending in the right direction after being activated from the PUP list on Friday. Nelson Agholor should see a heavy workload in Jeffery’s absence. Fellow WR Mack Hollins was held out of Eagles practice on Monday. Hollins dealt with groin problems for virtually all of training camp. He is notable because, with Jeffery out, that gives Hollins a shot to begin the season in three-receiver sets.
Top running back Jay Ajayi returned to practice Monday, participating on a limited basis. He sat out the last two weeks with a foot injury. Coach Doug Pederson said Ajayi will be “all systems go” for Thursday’s opener versus the Falcons.
How to Bet Falcons vs Eagles NFL Odds & Game Info
- When: Thursday, 8:20 PM ET
- Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- TV: NBC
- Radio: Siriusxm
- NFL Week 1 Odds: Philadelphia Eagles -2.5 (Total 45.5)
Last Meeting
These teams met in last year’s Divisional Round in Philadelphia with the Eagles escaping 15-10. Atlanta really should have won that game as it had first-and-goal in the final minute but couldn’t punch it in. On fourth down from the 2, Matt Ryan’s pass sailed over Julio Jones’ head in the end zone. The Falcons managed just 281 total yards of offense. The season ended with the Falcons going 0-7 in games where they failed to score 20 points, including the playoffs.Why Bet on Atlanta?
The Falcons are pretty healthy entering the season, although they were 0-4 in the preseason. Running back Devonta Freeman was held out of the preseason coming off a serious knee injury and has multiple concussion during his NFL career, but he feels confident and healthy going into 2018. Star WR Julio Jones didn’t play in any of the preseason games but proclaimed himself 100 percent healthy. Falcons coach Dan Quinn named Brandon Fusco the starter at right guard. Signed to a three-year, $12.75 million contract in March, Fusco was competing with incumbent starter Wes Schweitzer, who was a weak link on the line last season. Atlanta has one of the best rosters in the league, but guard remains a concern. The Falcons catch a break in that the Eagles will be without linebacker Nigel Bradham, who was suspended one game. The discipline stems from an incident in 2016 that resulted in Bradham being charged with aggravated assault. He accepted a deferred prosecution program in July and the case was closed in January. Bradham was the team’s leading tackler in 2017. A group that includes Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nate Gerry and Joe Walker will try to help fill the void next to middle linebacker Jordan Hicks. Coach Dan Quinn said the Falcons need to establish the run to make their play-action passing game as effective as possible Thursday. Tevin Coleman led the way on the ground for the Falcons in their last game against Philadelphia, gaining 79 yards on 10 carries, but Freeman was hampered by injuries and mustered just seven yards on his 10 attempts.Why Bet on Philadelphia?
Philly had the NFL’s top-ranked rushing defense in 2017 and held the Falcons to 86 rushing yards in their playoff win. In addition, the Eagles weren’t just the best pass offense in the red zone last season; by DVOA, they had the third-best pass offense in the red zone since 1986. Only the 1999 Chiefs and 1993 Eagles were better. Offensively, they ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards per game last season and have an athletic offensive line that moves well in space. However, star QB Carson Wentz isn’t ready to return from his torn ACL and No. 1 receiver Alshon Jeffery is out following shoulder surgery. Wentz is still on the early side of a traditional timetable for a return from an ACL tear in his left knee, which typically takes nine to 12 months. The Atlanta game comes a few days shy of that nine-month mark. Wentz tore his LCL as well, which delayed the rehab process and made for a more complicated surgery and recovery.
Nick Foles had much more success as the Eagles’ starting quarterback during the playoffs than he did after replacing Wentz in the regular season. He is coming off a rocky preseason, though, going 16-of-26 for 171 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and a pair of lost fumbles and was sacked six times.
Jeffery (shoulder) passed his physical on Friday but is still expected to miss the first two weeks of the regular season. At least he’s finally trending in the right direction after being activated from the PUP list on Friday. Nelson Agholor should see a heavy workload in Jeffery’s absence. Fellow WR Mack Hollins was held out of Eagles practice on Monday. Hollins dealt with groin problems for virtually all of training camp. He is notable because, with Jeffery out, that gives Hollins a shot to begin the season in three-receiver sets.
Top running back Jay Ajayi returned to practice Monday, participating on a limited basis. He sat out the last two weeks with a foot injury. Coach Doug Pederson said Ajayi will be “all systems go” for Thursday’s opener versus the Falcons.
Latest NFL Betting Trends for Falcons vs Eagles
- Home team is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings
- Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings
- Under is 9-3-1 in the last 13 meetings
- Under is 5-2-1 in the last 8 meetings in Philadelphia
- Falcons are 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 meetings
- Falcons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Philadelphia
- Atlanta is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
- Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 5 games
- Philadelphia is 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games
- Philadelphia is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games at home
