Philadelphia Eagles face former draft prospect in Week 1

Well, one piece of the puzzle is a little clearer if you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan. As everyone awaits the release of the 2021 NFL schedule (at the time of this story being published anyway), each of the league’s 32 franchises can lay claim to knowing who their first opponent will be.

If you’re a Birds fan, your squad flies south to the ‘Dirty’ for a date with the Atlanta Falcons on opening day at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Buckle up. This should be fun.

Here are three thoughts about the Philadelphia Eagles and Week 1.

1. Why do they have so many issues with these guys?

The Birds lead the all-time series with a 20-15-1 mark, but they’re 3-3 in their last six contests with each loss seemingly coming at the hands of an inferior squad. You know what they say. On any given Sunday, any team can, but for all intents and purposes, as bad as the Philadelphia Eagles might be, they have a shot at being the victors in this one.

2. Expect to see some familiar faces for A-T-L.

This is Matt Ryan‘s 14th season in the NFL believe it or not. He’s thrown for 58,439 yards if you include what he’s done in the playoffs to go along with 367 touchdowns versus 165 picks. There were rumors about Julio Jones‘ departure, but so far, he’s gone nowhere.

Calvin Ridley is a problem as well, and all of those guys should give the Eagles fits, but perhaps, Atlanta’s most dangerous weapon on opening day will be one of their newest.

3. Philly faces a former draft prospect in Kyle Pitts.

Don’t read something that hasn’t been written. Birds fans are totally satisfied with the addition of DeVonta Smith, the most recent draft’s tenth-overall selection, but there was a time when the apple of most Eagles fan’s eyes was Kyle Pitts, a six-foot-six, 245-pound matchup nightmare from the University of Florida.

Pitts is too big for cornerbacks to cover. He’s too fast for linebackers to cover. His presence, along with that of Ryan, Ridley and Jones could make for a long day in Atlanta. Keep your fingers crossed if you’re a Birds fan.