Atlanta Falcons: Game-by-game predictions for the 2018 season

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with Julio Jones #11 after scoring a 1-yard rushing touchdown during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with Julio Jones #11 after scoring a 1-yard rushing touchdown during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 13: Dom Williams #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles shakes hands with Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons after the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons with a score of 15 to 10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 13: Dom Williams #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles shakes hands with Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons after the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons with a score of 15 to 10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles

As big of a game this will be for the Eagles and their fans, I think this game means a whole lot more to the Atlanta Falcons. Not only did the Falcons get beat by Philly in Lincoln Financial Field last January in the NFC Playoffs, but the Dirty Birds fell just a few yards shy of emerging victorious.

That said, I’m sure it didn’t feel good when the Eagles then went on to beat the Patriots in Super Bowl 52 either.

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I think people around the league will be surprised to see how well the Falcons offense is clicking in Week One against a defense as formidable as the Eagles. A healthy offensive line will help, but having a rested Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman will help Atlanta control the clock and move the chains.

At the end of the day, for Atlanta to beat the Eagles in Philly, they’ll have to rely on their defense from start to finish. It’ll definitely be a challenge for a unit who struggled to contain the Eagles ground game last January, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

I expect the Falcons to come out firing in the first official NFL regular season game of the year while handing the defending champions their first loss of 2018.

Final Score:

Atlanta Falcons (1-0): 31, Philadelphia Eagles: 23