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