Eagles Analysis: Five matchups to watch vs. Falcons

Aug 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) loses his helmet as he and defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) and defensive end Vinny Curry (75) tackles Baltimore Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (34) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles front 7 vs. Falcons offensive line

This may be the biggest mismatch in the Eagles favor. The Eagles field one of the best front 7’s on paper and the Falcons field one of the leagues worst offensive lines. The Falcons have done some shuffling up front this past week after trading for guard Andy Levitre in hopes of improving that unit but without cohesion I expect that group to struggle against a dominate Eagles front.

That Eagles front 7 that ranked 2nd in the league in sacks last season add Kiko Alonso and Brandon Graham to their lineup. Both will provide a boost to an already fierce pass rush and overall disruptive play that should give the Falcons fits. The Falcons rather unimpressive running game should be stopped fairly easy by this Eagles front making them one dimensional. If the Eagles can control the line of scrimmage on defense that should make things a lot easier for a secondary that still has a lot of questions.

Advantage: Eagles front 7

Next: Eagles running backs vs. Falcons linebackers