Eagles vs. Falcons Game Predictions: ITI Staff Edition
Aug 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive back Kyle Arrington (24) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
This first game is going to be a huge test. It marks the first game of the real Chip Kelly era, meaning it’s the first time where he’ll be able to field a team of guys that are truly his. And what better spotlight to have than Monday Night Football, aka, national television?
Atlanta’s defense was pitiful last year, but of course, so was the Eagles’. Both appear to have improved to some extent, with the Eagles acquiring guys like Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso to bolster their squad. Atlanta hired the former Seahawks defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn, who will mostly likely fix the team’s defense in some fashion. However, I don’t expect this to be a game of defense.
In the end, it’s the offense that defines both of these teams. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Roddy White versus Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray and Jordan Matthews (and of course, a slew of other targets). I fully expect Jones to go off and for Ryan to have a solid game. I also expect that the Eagles will have an easy time scoring as well. In the end though, it would be hard to pick against the Eagles here.
Final Score Prediction: Eagles 31, Falcons 20
Game MVP: Jordan Matthews: 8 receptions, 113 yards, 1 receiving touchdown
Next: Nick DeCesare