Philadelphia (1-0) at Atlanta (0-1)
When: Sunday, September 15, 2019
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta, Georgia
Time: 8:20 ET | TV: NBC
Opening Odds: Atlanta -1/51
Last week’s NBC Sunday Night Football game was a snoozer with the Patriots blowing out the Pittsburgh Steelers, but this week’s prime time matchup is expected to be very competitive. The Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons will meet for the third time since their Divisional Playoff game in January 2018 where the Eagles escaped and went onto their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. The teams opened up the 2018-19 season on Thursday night last year with an ugly 18-12 Philadelphia victory. The Eagles went down 20-7 last week at home to Washington, but rallied in the second half behind quarterback Carson Wentz for the 32-27 victory, while the Falcons were getting beat-up in Minnesota. The Falcons couldn’t do much against the Vikings defense with running back Devonta Freeman rushing for only 19 yards on eight carries and a fumble. The Falcons opened as slight one-point favorites at most sportsbooks and pay per head shops, but sharps and the public quickly jumped on the Eagles. The line – as of Saturday night – sits at Philadelphia -1.5 with a total of 52.5. The home team has covered the past four in the series and the total has gone under in all four. Atlanta is just 2-7 ATS in its past nine games overall.
Receiver DeSean Jackson’s return to Philadelphia was a huge success as he caught eight passes for 154 yards and two long scores. He now has 31 touchdown catches of at least 50 yards in his career, second-most in NFL history. Fellow wideout Alshon Jeffery also caught a TD pass and rushed for the first of his career. Carson Wentz, hadn’t played since Week 14 of last year – including preseason – was 28-for-39 for 313 yards and three scores. The Eagles spread the rushing attack between rookie Miles Sanders and veteran Darren Sproles, each touching the ball 12 times in the opener while Jordan Howard recorded 55 scrimmage yards on just 17 plays. Philadelphia agreed to terms with Akeem Spence and placed fellow DT Malik Jackson (foot) on injured reserve.
Prior to Atlanta’s Week 1 matchup with the Vikings, the team signed star receiver Julio Jones to a record-setting three-year extension worth $66 million in guaranteed money. That’s the biggest guarantee for a receiver in league history. Jones had just 31 total yards in the loss at Minnesota but did catch a touchdown pass. Atlanta’s defense surrendered 172 yards on the ground so Minnesota only attempted 10 passes. The Falcons also turned it over three times and didn’t have a takeaway. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley also scored a late touchdown against Minnesota and is coming off a rookie season in which he caught six touchdowns in eight home games. Tight end Austin Hooper led the team with nine catches in the opener as Matt Ryan went 33-of-46 for 304 yards, two touchdowns and two picks.
Wentz and the Eagles looked rusty in the first half last week, but showed everyone who they really are in the second half. That will be enough momentum to carry them to a huge road victory over a Falcons team that looked clueless last week.
Pick: Eagles -1.5 (More Week 2 Free Picks)
Eagles are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
Eagles are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Eagles are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.
Eagles are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Eagles are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
Eagles are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC.
Eagles are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Eagles are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 2.
Eagles are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Eagles are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in September.
Falcons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in Week 2.
Falcons are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
Falcons are 37-15 ATS in their last 52 games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Falcons are 22-9 ATS in their last 31 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game.
Falcons are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Falcons are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. NFC.
Falcons are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games on grass.
Falcons are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Falcons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Falcons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Falcons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
Falcons are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss of more than 14 points.
Falcons are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Falcons are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Eagles last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 13-3-1 in Eagles last 17 games in Week 2.
Over is 21-8 in Eagles last 29 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 5-2 in Eagles last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 5-2 in Eagles last 7 road games.
Over is 5-2 in Eagles last 7 games in September.
Under is 9-4 in Eagles last 13 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 47-21 in Eagles last 68 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Falcons last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 5-0 in Falcons last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 9-2 in Falcons last 11 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game.
Over is 9-3 in Falcons last 12 games in September.
Under is 12-4 in Falcons last 16 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 7-3 in Falcons last 10 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 7-3 in Falcons last 10 games in Week 2.
Under is 15-7 in Falcons last 22 games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Atlanta.
Eagles are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 meetings.
