Falcons vs. Eagles: Week 2 Preview, Predictions, and Keys to Victory

The Atlanta Falcons are preparing for a tough Week 2 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. After a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, where the Falcons failed to score in the second half and fell to a team that didn’t even score a touchdown, they now face the 1-0 Eagles. The pressure is on for the Falcons to turn their season around, but questions remain about their offense, quarterback situation, and overall readiness.

Week 1 Recap: Falcons’ Struggles and Injuries

The Falcons’ Week 1 performance against the Steelers was a bitter disappointment. Atlanta entered the season with high expectations, but their offense faltered in crucial moments, failing to score a single point in the second half. What’s more frustrating is that they lost to a Steelers team that didn’t even score a touchdown, relying solely on field goals to win the game. This defeat is a testament to both the Falcons’ defensive resilience and offensive ineptitude.

The Falcons are fortunate to have relatively few injuries heading into Week 2. Chris Lindstrom, who briefly exited the game, only missed two snaps before returning. On the other hand, the Eagles are also relatively healthy, although linebacker Devin White missed Week 1 with an ankle injury, and cornerback Isaiah Rogers sustained a hand injury.

Kirk Cousins’ Health Concerns: A Major Red Flag

One of the biggest storylines for the Falcons heading into Week 2 is the health of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Despite not being listed on the injury report, Cousins appeared far from mobile in the Week 1 loss. Every dropback seemed static, with Cousins failing to move out of the pocket. This lack of mobility limited the Falcons’ offensive capabilities, particularly in play-action situations, a staple of Cousins’ game throughout his career.

The Falcons’ coaching staff and media have tried to downplay concerns about Cousins’ health. However, after reviewing every dropback from Week 1, it’s clear that he is far from 100%. If Cousins cannot regain some mobility, it may be time for the Falcons to consider starting first-round draft pick Michael Penix, who showed tremendous potential in college and could bring a new dimension to the offense.

Bijan Robinson: The Focal Point of the Offense

With Kirk Cousins struggling to move in the pocket, it’s likely that the Falcons will rely heavily on rookie running back Bijan Robinson. The former Texas Longhorns star has already shown glimpses of his potential, and he will likely be the focal point of the Falcons’ offense until Cousins either recovers or is replaced.

Robinson’s success on the ground could be pivotal in keeping the Falcons’ offense afloat. If he can establish a strong running game, it will take some pressure off Cousins and open up opportunities for play-action passes—assuming the Falcons choose to implement them this week, which leads to the next point.

Predictable Playcalling: Time for a Change

In Week 1, the Falcons’ offense was painfully predictable. New offensive coordinator Zach Robinson faced heavy criticism for his lack of creativity. Atlanta operated out of the pistol or shotgun formation on 96% of their plays, running the ball 81% of the time when lined up in the pistol. This predictability made it easy for the Steelers’ defense to anticipate and counter their game plan.

Additionally, Cousins did not attempt a single play-action pass, which is baffling considering his success with this type of play throughout his career. In 2022, Cousins led the NFL in play-action pass attempts. For him to go from being a top play-action passer to not attempting a single one in Week 1 is inexcusable. Whether this is due to Cousins’ limited mobility or poor play-calling by Zach Robinson, it must change if the Falcons hope to compete in Week 2.

The Defense: Atlanta’s Bright Spot

Despite the offensive struggles, the Falcons’ defense has been a bright spot. Led by veterans like Grady Jarrett and Jessie Bates, the unit performed admirably in Week 1, holding the Steelers to field goals instead of touchdowns. This defensive prowess will be crucial against the Eagles, who feature one of the most explosive offenses in the league, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown.

The Falcons’ defense will need to create turnovers to give their offense a chance. Jessie Bates and Justin Simmons, two of the NFL’s top takeaway artists, will be key in this effort. Both safeties have a knack for forcing turnovers, and if they can make plays in the secondary, it could give the Falcons’ offense much-needed short fields to work with.

Keys to Victory: What the Falcons Need to Do

Improved Game Plan: Zach Robinson must come up with a more creative and balanced game plan in Week 2. The Falcons cannot afford to be as predictable as they were in Week 1. They need to mix up their formations, use more play-action, and keep the Eagles’ defense guessing. If Cousins is too immobile to run a functional offense, it might be time to consider giving Michael Penix a shot.
Force Takeaways: The Eagles are a different beast offensively compared to the Steelers, but they are vulnerable to turnovers. In their six losses last season, the Eagles turned the ball over 14 times. If the Falcons can capitalize on mistakes and create turnovers, it will give them a much-needed boost in what will likely be a low-scoring affair.
Run the Ball Effectively: Bijan Robinson will need to have a monster game for the Falcons to have a chance. Establishing the run early will help control the clock, keep Jalen Hurts off the field, and set up play-action opportunities. Robinson’s success on the ground will be crucial in keeping the Falcons’ offense on track.
Start Fast: The Eagles have struggled in the first half of games they’ve lost at home. In their nine home losses since 2021, they have been outscored 139-91 in the first half. The Falcons need to capitalize on this trend by coming out strong and building an early lead.

Limit Jalen Hurts: Containing Jalen Hurts will be one of the Falcons’ biggest challenges. Hurts is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat you with his arm and legs. The Falcons’ defense must apply pressure while maintaining discipline to avoid giving up big plays.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Falcons 14

While the Falcons have the potential to bounce back in Week 2, the Eagles present a formidable challenge. Philadelphia’s explosive offense, coupled with Atlanta’s struggling offense and Kirk Cousins’ questionable health, makes it hard to see the Falcons pulling off an upset. Unless Cousins shows significant improvement or the Falcons get a standout performance from Bijan Robinson, it’s difficult to imagine them scoring enough points to keep up with the Eagles.

With that said, the Falcons’ defense should keep them in the game for a while, but ultimately, the Eagles’ offensive firepower will prove too much to handle. Expect the Eagles to pull away in the second half and win this one comfortably, 27-14.