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Atlanta Falcons: 3 Bold predictions for Week 1 vs. Eagles

By Derek Snyder

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 13: Running back Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with Matt Ryan #2 after his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 13: Running back Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with Matt Ryan #2 after his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Tight end Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch in front of inside linebacker Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second 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: Tight end Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch in front of inside linebacker Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second 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. Austin Hooper will be the Falcons Offensive MVP

If you paid any attention to the Falcons in 2017, you’ll know how bad they were in the red-zone on offense. While many fans hoped that problem wouldn’t ultimately derail their chance of winning the Super Bowl, it proved to be the season’s deciding factor – Atlanta failed to convert in 4th-and-goal in Philly in last year’s NFC Playoffs, turning the football back over to the Eagles, ending the ballgame.

Needless to say, if the Dirty Birds want any shot of beating the Eagles on Thursday night, they have to put up seven points when they move the ball inside the twenty-yard-line. Thankfully for Atlanta, tight-end Austin Hooper has been working his tail off this offseason, trying to become a serious factor in this Falcons offense.

Whether it’s run-blocking or catching the football, I truly do believe Hooper is going to have a great game against Philadelphia. Not to mention, I think he’ll play a large role in helping the Falcons fix their red-zone woes in 2018.

If Atlanta’s offensive line can give Matt Ryan enough time to work through his progressions this week, don’t be surprised if Hooper winds up with a couple of touchdowns. His teammates are counting on him to make plays, and I fully expect him to rise to the occasion.

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