The Philadelphia Eagles will head south to face off against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 2. Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz will look to channel his big-play energy from week 1, with the running game likely playing a bigger role this week.
With the Eagles looking to move to 2-0 on the season, here are four things to watch when the Eagles have the ball.
Eagles C Jason Kelce vs. Falcons LB Deion Jones
The two probably won’t lock up much during this ballgame, with Kelce having a lot of responsibility when it comes to Grady Jarrett. Kelce is also the brains of the Eagles operation and in the loud Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it’ll be on the Eagles center to direct the silent counts, while giving the team the best opportunity to succeed.
Falcons DT Grady Jarrett vs. Eagles RG Brandon Brooks and LG Isaac Seumalo
Jarrett, one of the top interior pass rushers in the NFL, just received a new deal and looking to show that he belongs in the same conversations with Fletcher Cox and others. Jarrett is a disrupter, who has excelled at rushing the passer over the past two seasons, with 10 combined sacks in that timeframe. Jarrett had a sack and a forced fumble in the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings last week, and he’ll look to put pressure on both Eagles guards, Brandon Brooks, and Isaac Seumalo, along with center Jason Kelce.
Eagles WRs Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson vs. Falcons CBs Desmond Trufant and Isaiah Oliver
The Falcons are likely to back their corners off and have safety help over the top, but that doesn’t mean Trufant and Oliver won’t have to deal with Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson. The Eagles duo at wide receiver combined for four touchdowns in the season opener, and will likely shadow Jackson, hoping to be physical at the line of scrimmage. Oliver, a second-round pick last season, had one interception in 14 games and will have to play big under the lights for Atlanta to have a shot.
Zach Erz, Dallas Goedert vs. Falcons S Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen
The Falcons lost both their safeties — Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen — to season-ending injuries in the first game of the 2018 season. Both those guys are back and could provide value for a Falcons team looking to prevent the deep ball. The Falcons linebackers will have responsibility for Eartz and Goedert but could be called upon when he Eagles go to 12 personnel, especially if Philadelphia can get the running game going.
