SportsTalkATL Staff Predictions for the Falcons: Week 1

Jake Gordon’s Prediction (@cantguardjake)

I think this is a pretty favorable matchup for both teams in certain areas; something neither will likely be able to say a lot this season. The Falcons have an untested offensive line, and the Eagles have a ferocious defensive front led by Fletcher Cox. The Falcons have a veteran creative defensive play-caller in Dean Pees, and the Eagles have a quarterback who hasn’t even thrown 150 passes in the NFL. Both teams have new coaching staffs, but I think this game will come down to Atlanta making Jalen Hurts uncomfortable on the road, and Matt Ryan exposing soft spots in a subpar Philadelphia secondary. Ryan has struggled early under new play-callers, but I think Atlanta clicks at some point. This one is close, but the Falcons pull away and start 1-0.

Falcons 28, Eagles 20

Chase Irle’s Prediction (@IrleChase)

We’ve had months to look over every aspect of the roster, and now Week 1 is here, and I still have no idea what’s going to happen on Sunday. In our NFL Gambling locks, I picked this game to go under. I’m not big on the Falcons defense, but I love this matchup against Hurts. Dean Pees should be able to make him uncomfortable, limiting big plays and touchdowns. I do think the Falcons will also have some trouble scoring. It’s a new offense, and the Philadelphia defensive line should be able to handle Atlanta’s offensive line. I think it could go either way, but I like a low-scoring affair that is won by the better-coached team, which I believe is the Falcons.

Falcons 23, Eagles 20

Alex Lord’s Prediction (@GeauxSportsTalk)

Offense, offense, offense. The Falcons and Eagles’ defenses may be some of the worst in the league by the end of the season. Some see Jalen Hurts struggling, while Arthur Smith and Matt Ryan struggle to find a rhythm in a first-year offense. I look at the poor personnel on the teams’ defenses, and struggle to see how the two offenses don’t put some points on the board. If the Falcons’ offense can stay ahead of the chains, Ryan and Smith will pick Philadelphia’s defense apart. If the Eagles utilize Hurts’ feet as well as his arm, I believe he can put up respectable numbers — 200 yards through the air, 100 on the ground.

Falcons 30, Eagles 24