In this Week 2 NFL matchup on Monday, September 16, 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Atlanta Falcons in a highly anticipated contest. Both teams come into the game with different experiences from their Week 1 performances, and there’s a lot at stake as they try to establish momentum early in the season. Here’s a deep dive into what to expect, key player performances, and predictions for the game.

Philadelphia Eagles: Looking for Consistency After a Hard-Fought Victory

The Philadelphia Eagles come into this matchup off a 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers. That game, held in Brazil, posed its own challenges, as there were reports that the field conditions weren’t ideal, which could have contributed to some defensive lapses. The Eagles allowed an uncharacteristic 7.8 yards per carry in that game, surrendering 163 rushing yards to the Packers. While the Eagles managed to pull off the win, their defense showed some vulnerabilities, especially in defending the run.

However, on the offensive side of the ball, the Eagles found something special with their ground game. Saquon Barkley played a pivotal role, contributing to the Eagles’ 144 rushing yards. Barkley’s ability to churn out yardage was crucial, particularly as the Eagles shifted toward a run-heavy approach late in the game. This strategy may need to be their focus again against the Falcons, especially with star wide receiver A.J. Brown ruled out for this game due to a hamstring issue.

Brown’s absence is a significant blow to the Eagles’ offensive firepower. In the game against the Packers, Brown had five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown, so his production will be missed. However, the Eagles do have other weapons and could lean more heavily on their ground game, just as they did in Brazil.

Jalen Hurts will need to step up in the passing game, even without his top receiver. He’s proven to be a versatile and effective quarterback, capable of making plays with both his arm and legs. But the Eagles will need to be balanced in their attack, relying on their offensive line and Barkley to control the tempo of the game.

Atlanta Falcons: Bouncing Back from a Tough Loss

The Atlanta Falcons enter Week 2 coming off a disappointing 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In that game, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins didn’t have his best performance. He completed 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Cousins struggled to get the offense in rhythm, and the Falcons couldn’t find much success on the ground either, only managing 89 rushing yards.

The Falcons’ inability to get their running game going was a major factor in their loss. They averaged just 4 yards per carry, and despite having talent in the backfield, the offense stalled. This put additional pressure on Cousins to carry the team through the air, which led to costly mistakes, including the two interceptions.

One bright spot for Atlanta, however, is the potential to exploit the Eagles’ defensive weaknesses. As previously mentioned, the Eagles struggled mightily to stop the run against the Packers, and this could be an opportunity for Bijan Robinson to have a breakout game. Robinson, the Falcons’ talented running back, showed flashes of brilliance in Week 1 but was hampered by penalties and stalled drives. If the Falcons can avoid those mistakes and stick to their run-first mentality, Robinson could find success against the Eagles’ suspect run defense.

Head coach Raheem Morris acknowledged after the Week 1 loss that the team wanted to run the ball more but was forced to throw due to penalties and being in long down-and-distance situations. If the Falcons can stay ahead of the chains and avoid those mistakes, they could present a real challenge to the Eagles’ defense.

Key Matchups to Watch

Falcons’ Running Game vs. Eagles’ Run Defense

As highlighted earlier, the Eagles’ defense struggled to stop the run in Week 1, and this could be a major factor in the game. Bijan Robinson and the Falcons’ running backs will need to take advantage of this weakness and establish the ground game early. The Falcons’ offensive line will need to perform better than they did against Pittsburgh if they want to control the tempo of the game.

Jalen Hurts vs. Falcons’ Pass Defense

With A.J. Brown out, Hurts will need to find other targets in the passing game. The Falcons’ secondary, led by standout safety Jessie Bates, will be looking to capitalize on any mistakes Hurts might make. This will be a crucial matchup, as the Eagles can’t rely solely on their running game to win.

Kirk Cousins vs. Eagles’ Pass Rush

Cousins didn’t have much success against the Steelers’ defense, and he’ll be facing another tough test against the Eagles. Philadelphia’s pass rush, led by Josh Sweat, will be looking to pressure Cousins and force him into making mistakes. Cousins’ mobility was also hampered by an ankle injury, so keeping him upright and protected will be key for the Falcons.

Game Plan for Each Team

Philadelphia Eagles’ Game Plan: The Eagles will likely lean heavily on their running game, especially with A.J. Brown out. Saquon Barkley will be the focal point of the offense, and the Eagles will aim to control the clock and keep the Falcons’ offense off the field. Defensively, they’ll need to improve their run defense and contain Bijan Robinson, forcing the Falcons into passing situations where they can apply pressure to Cousins.

Atlanta Falcons’ Game Plan: The Falcons will need to establish the run early and often. Bijan Robinson could be the key to their success, as exploiting the Eagles’ weak run defense will open up play-action opportunities for Cousins. Defensively, they’ll focus on stopping the Eagles’ ground attack and forcing Hurts to throw without his top target, A.J. Brown.

Prediction and Final Thoughts

This game has the makings of a close, grind-it-out affair, with both teams likely focusing on their running games. The absence of A.J. Brown for the Eagles is a significant factor, but Philadelphia still has the advantage with a more dynamic quarterback in Jalen Hurts and a solid run game led by Saquon Barkley.

On the other hand, the Falcons will look to bounce back after a tough Week 1 loss, and if they can get Bijan Robinson going, they have a real shot at keeping this game close.

Ultimately, though, the Eagles have a slight edge due to their ability to control the game on the ground and the added dimension Jalen Hurts brings as a dual-threat quarterback. Expect a lower-scoring game, but the Eagles should come out on top in the end.