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Atlanta Falcons: 3 Key players to beating Eagles in Divisional Round

By Derek Snyder

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons breaks up a pass intended for Jordan Matthews #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons breaks up a pass intended for Jordan Matthews #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by cornerback Brian Poole #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by cornerback Brian Poole #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. Brian Poole

For years of Matt Ryan’s time in Atlanta, the Falcons tried and tried to find a nickelback that could cover the NFL’s best slot receivers. Who knew that an undrafted defensive back out of the University of Florida would become the Dirty Birds’ best option in over two decades? Needless to say, Brian Poole has been stellar over the last two seasons for Dan Quinn.

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To be honest, I believe Poole is actually coming off one of his best games as a professional football player. The Falcons knew they had a tough matchup against the Rams offense last weekend, and it was Poole who continually made a great tackle in open space to limit Los Angeles in yards after the catch.

While the Eagles don’t have the most dangerous weapons in the league, Poole will have his hands full this Saturday against Nelson Agholor.

Philly has used Agholor wisely this year, keeping him in the slot for Carson Wentz to find over the middle/underneath. Wentz won’t be playing this weekend, but I imagine Nick Foles will rely heavily on finding Agholor, especially if Atlanta can get their pass-rush going.

The biggest key for Poole isn’t necessarily keeping Agholor out of the reception column, it’ll be limiting his YAC. A few dink and dunk passes won’t kill the Falcons, but a missed tackle on a slant that ends in a touchdown could be deadly for Atlanta’s Super Bowl hopes.

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