Might 30, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) palms the ball to operating again Saquon Barkley throughout a observe at NovaCare Advanced (26). Obligatory Credit score: Invoice Streicher-Imagn Pictures The Atlanta Falcons look to make a dramatic turnaround from a crushing loss in Week 1 after they go to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night time Soccer.
Philadelphia has matched Atlanta’s efficiency lately, profitable 4 of its previous 5 video games towards the Falcons.
However new Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has a profitable file (6-5) towards the Eagles. Cousins has a 3-10 file on Monday Night time Soccer. Jalen Hurts, then again, is 4-4 in MNF, together with a 24-7 win over Cousins with the Vikings (Week 2, 2022) .
Odds and Tendencies
Regardless of Philadelphia’s robust displaying towards the Packers in Week 1, they opened the sequence as a mere 4.5-point favourite at dwelling. However it wasn’t lengthy earlier than the road moved. Bettors can nonetheless discover the Hawks at -5.5, whereas Atlanta backers can discover them at +6.5.
The final time the Eagles and Falcons met was in Week 1 of the 2021 season, with Philadelphia profitable 32-6. However the final time Hurts and Cousins confronted off was in 2023, when Cousins was with the Vikings for Week 2 (Thursday Night time Soccer). Cousins handed for 364 yards and 4 touchdowns, however Hurts gained 34-28.
Contemplating how the sport unfolded in Week 1, it is no shock that the general public is rooting for Philadelphia. At BetMGM, 82% of unfold tickets and 88% of the cash are spent on the Eagles.
Nonetheless, in line with trade averages, 47% of break up air fares happen in Philadelphia and 53% in Atlanta. Moneyline betting is extraordinarily favorable for the Eagles, with odds as excessive as 92%, and lottery odds as excessive as 95%.
Nonetheless, bettors had been comparatively divided on the entire quantity: 56% of bankrolls and 48% of lottery bets had been on OVER (44% and 52% of bets had been on UNDER).
Over the previous 5 years, MNF’s dwelling file is 59-43. Nonetheless, it is usually a good suggestion to guess on the away workforce. Their file is 53-45-4 ATS. Since 2018, the preferred fashions are the 67-37 SU and the 45-55-4 ATS.
Props choice
–Saquon Barkley, 2+ TDs, FanDuel +270: He had three touchdowns, two speeding and one receiving in Week 1 towards the Packers. It seems new head coach Kellen Moore will profit from his operating backs (when wholesome), particularly across the aim line. There is not any worth in betting on his odds anytime quickly, nevertheless it would not be stunning to see him rating two factors towards the Falcons.
–Jalen Hurts, O/U 39.5 yards speeding, -113/-113 on FanDuel: Working the ball is a part of the rationale Hurts is such a harmful quarterback. However Kellen Moore appeared reluctant to name Hurts a designed run in Week 1. All the time on the lookout for somebody who can throw so far as potential.
Since Barkley can do the soiled work within the operating sport, there’s much less expectation for harm. Take the following.
key statistics
Cousins is 12-20 in prime time video games and 3-10 in MNF video games. Nonetheless, whereas his win-loss file is not nice, he all the time has been. His passer ranking ranks twelfth amongst 64 quarterbacks with greater than 500 passes in primetime video games.
Information
Expectations are excessive for the Atlanta Falcons heading into the brand new season. With talent place gamers similar to Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London, many imagine they’re a workforce that wants succesful quarterback play to achieve success.
Enter Kirk Cousins.
Whereas his groups did not have a lot success within the playoffs, his capability to get the ball shifting on offense is simple, particularly within the passing sport. He performed six seasons with the Vikings, scoring 15 or extra factors as a starter in his first 5 seasons. He threw for over 4,000 yards in 4 of these 5 video games.
His finest season might have been his first. He made historical past by turning into the primary quarterback in NFL historical past to finish 70 p.c of his passes, throw for 30 touchdowns, throw for over 4,000 yards and throw 10 interceptions (or fewer).
Atlanta followers are in all probability hoping that is the man they noticed in Week 1. He was sacked twice and intercepted twice because the Falcons misplaced to the Steelers 18-10.
Whereas that is hardly comfort, there are a number of mitigating elements. Week 1 was his first sport again after lacking the second half of the 2023 season with a torn Achilles tendon. It was his first sport with a brand new workforce in a brand new offense with a brand new offensive coordinator, a brand new heart and new talent place gamers.
As he recovers, he would not have sufficient time to develop the familiarity wanted to play properly on Sunday. However there is a vibrant aspect for Falcons followers – Cousins and the offense can solely get higher.
Can they enhance sufficient to compete with the Eagles tonight?
damage report
Each groups have dominated out gamers for Monday evening’s sport. Shedding his No. 1 extensive receiver, A.J. Brown (hamstring), will likely be injured. Atlanta will likely be with out cornerback Antonio Hamilton (groin) and linebacker Nate Randleman (calf, quadriceps). Eagles receiver Johnny Wilson is listed as questionable.
prophecy
If Cousins and the Atlanta offense are at full energy, this might be a aggressive sport. Nonetheless, rising pains are to be anticipated, which ought to mood expectations for the Falcons offense.
If the offense would not give them an opportunity to breathe, the protection will tire after being uncovered to plenty of Saquon Barkley. Hurts will miss Brown, however the Eagles have loads of gifted weapons at his disposal.
Prediction: Eagles 28, Falcons 13
–Scene-level media
