5 Bold Predictions for Philadelphia Eagles' Week 1 Matchup
The Philadelphia Eagles travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in the 2015 regular season opener on Monday night, and here's a bold prediction: It seems there are plenty of favorable matchups to exploit.
Philly rolls into meaningful NFL action with all of the momentum in the world after an impressive preseason. The offense looks more prolific than ever, the defense appears to be vastly improved and special teams are as dominant as ever.
With all of that in mind, the Falcons could be in trouble this week. Here's another bold prediction to get you started: The Eagles win this game on the road by two touchdowns. Gather 'round for a closer look inside our crystal ball.
Sam Bradford Passes for 400 Yards
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Sam Bradford never threw for more than 377 yards in a game in his first five seasons in the NFL. Of course, Bradford never played with weapons like DeMarco Murray, Darren Sproles, Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor or Zach Ertz, either.
On Monday night, the former No. 1 overall draft pick could set a new career high in passing yards with ease against an Atlanta secondary that, frankly, looks over-matched. Outside of cornerback Desmond Trufant, there doesn't appear to be any semblance of a threat to shut down Bradford's slew of targets.
When you take into consideration how laser-precise Bradford was operating this offense in preseason action, there's no reason to think he wouldn't carve up the Falcons defense in Week 1. Does he go for 400 yards? You betcha.
Jordan Matthews Totals More Than 150 Yards Receiving
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Bradford isn't the only one who might be poised to set new personal bests on Monday night. Now the feature receiver in Philadelphia's offense, Jordan Matthews could be in line to best his seven-catch, 138-yard performance against the Carolina Panthers last season.
In addition to his newly minted status as the Eagles' go-to receiver, Matthews appears to have a very favorable matchup in the slot. The second-year receiver could draw either Robert Alford (5'10", 186 lbs.)—a huge size advantage for Matthews (6'3", 212 lbs.)—or journeyman Phillip Adams, who has limited action as a nickel corner.
The Falcons are also set to start 2014 fifth-round draft pick Ricardo Allen at free safety, an undersized (5'9", 187 lbs.), converted corner with with zero NFL experience. There is no doubt Matthews will run some vertical routes into Allen's zone against Atlanta's cover 3 scheme.
All of this is likely to result in Matthews' most productive day as a pro, and 150 yards and a couple of scores should come easy.
Matt Ryan Gets Sacked 4 Times
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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has such a quick release that he seldom gets sacked compared to the number of times he dropped back. Ryan was sacked only once or not at all nine times in 2014. Include games where he was sacked just twice, and it climbs to 12.
That being said, Atlanta's offensive line is in rough shape. Second-year left tackle Jake Matthews looks shaky and was limited at Thursday's practice, according to the official injury report. The club had to trade for veteran Andy Levitre from the Titans because the situation at left guard was that bleak. And projected starting center Joe Hawley was released out of training camp in favor of Mike Person, a converted guard.
Meanwhile, the Eagles have one of the most dominant front sevens in the NFL, finishing tied for second with 49 sacks in 2014. If Ryan has to put the game on his shoulders to keep up with Philly's prolific offense, it could be a bloodbath. Four sacks might be a low-ball estimate.
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Matt Ryan Tosses 2 Interceptions
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Ryan also isn't one for throwing many interceptions, throwing more than a single pick in a game just three times in 2014. But when he's under duress on Monday night, and possibly trailing late in the game, the eighth-year signal-caller is going to have to let it rip and hope Pro Bowl receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White can bail him out.
That will no doubt lead to some sensational completions down the field. However, it also means the Eagles' newly opportunistic secondary will have some opportunities to make a play on the ball themselves.
Safety Walter Thurmond in particular has been causing turnovers on the practice field all summer, and it translated to a pair of interceptions during the preseason. Cornerback Byron Maxwell also came up with an interception in an exhibition game and had another taken away due to a penalty.
Nobody is suggesting the Eagles will shut down Ryan, Jones and White. But if the game gets away from the Falcons, a pair of interceptions is not out of the question.
Eagles Come Up with a Big Play on Special Teams
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Is this even a bold prediction at this point? Big plays on special teams were practically a weekly staple for the Eagles in 2014, whereas for most teams in the NFL, they might occur a handful of times per season at most.
Whether it's a blocked kick, a return for a touchdown, a punt that pins the Falcons in their own, a clutch game-winning field goal or even the coverage units keeping legendary returnman Devin Hester in check all game, the Eagles are going to get the job done on special teams. And rest assured, whatever it is or whatever combination of things they do, it will play a huge role in the final outcome.
Camp observations are the author's.
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