The only way the Eagles lose this game is if Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has time to throw the football to Julio Jones and Roddy White, to the point where he picks apart the Eagles secondary. This is a possibility because the Birds secondary is still in the process of finding itself.
There’s no way in the world that Ryan should have time to throw because the Falcons offensive line was put together a couple of weeks ago. They got to two or three weeks to the end of training camp and realized their offensive line was terrible. They pretty much cleaned house and decided to promote some backups and find what they could in free agency.. To put it bluntly, the Falcons offensive line was pathetic, hasn’t gotten any better and is being held together by a piece of scotch tape.
There’s no way in the world that the Eagles defensive front, which is one of the best in the NFL, shouldn’t have any trouble dismantling this group and getting to Ryan. Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan, and Cedrick Thornton will also be able to shut down the Falcons running game with the help of linebackers Conner Barwin, Brandon Graham, Mychal Kendricks, and Kiko Alonso.
The front seven will need to dominate Atlanta to the point where Ryan has to throw the ball early or take a sack. They can’t give him time to hit Julio Jones on a deep route or Roddy White on an inside curl route.
Let’s take a look at the Falcons offensive line.
Left tackle Jake Matthews, was a first round pick in 2014 and he has been sidelined for part of the preseason and he is battling lower back pain. He had an injection in his back, so he can play, but there’s a chance it could flare up again. The Falcons couldn’t possibly protect Ryan without Matthews.
Left guard Andy Levitre was just acquired from the Titans. He’s a smart, dependable and durable guard, who will make this offensive line better, over time, but he’s only been in place for a couple of weeks.
The center, Mike Person, signed with the Falcons as a free agent this offseason. He’s a converted guard, who has had problems with the snap. This could mean problems for Ryan, when they’re in the shotgun. Don’t be surprised if you see some errant snaps, when the Falcons are in key third down situations. Bennie Logan should eat his lunch.
The right guard for the Falcons is veteran Chris Chester, who was shown the door by the Redskins. He’s undersized for the position and will have his work cutout for him when facing one of the best in the business in Birds defensive end, Fletcher Cox. Cox will be able to dominate Chester.
At right tackle, the Falcons have Ryan Schraeder, who has had trouble winning a starting position on this line, which has been struggling for years. He has trouble with speedy pass rushers coming around the corner. Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry should have no problem getting to Ryan when they’re facing Schraeder.
I expect Ryan to be sacked at least four times.
Years past, the Eagles would not capitalize on their opponents glaring weaknesses, hopefully, this Bill Davis lead defense will! I can hear Chip now, “Davis (Yost), tighten that defense up or I’m taken over”.
come one Eagles, don’t remind us….defense led by Davis….don’t get your hopes up, he’s been with the Eagles since ’13, hopefully we can expect some different things, which I believe we will, since Davis will be forced to experiment (maybe not the correct word) with the secondary, covering the slot position….he has to do something different than he’s done in the past….
Regardless, lets go Eagles, I can’t wait! like a kid on Christmas Eve!
Vinny Curry will step up to be the best pass rusher on this team and he and Barwin will be a very formidable pass rush tandem by the end of the year.
Excited about tonight. I too expect a ton of sacks and 2 picks to boot. I hope they send a few extra guys early and then drop back late after he is panicked. Going to be a show for both sides of the ball. And oh yea… Our special teams can be pretty special too.
Barwin 14 sacks, Curry 9 sacks, Graham 5 sacks last year in 2014. The Question is Graham. His contract is as ridiculous as the contract Nate Allen got from Oakland, Why?
Re : The Graham Contract
Eagles were in a bit of a pickle knowing they were going to lose Cole after he refused to re-work his Contract but the biggest reason the Eagles overpaid Graham is because they feel that the may have a Bust with Marcus Smith II
and need to have some sort of Pass-Rush presence from the OLB oppostie of Barwin so Graham was the Safe Signing.. Now if Graham produces 12 + Sacks and makes plays behind the Line of Scrimmage, etc, then it comes out to a pretty good deal for the Eagles as well…
It’s all there in front of Brandon Graham Right Here, Right Now and I expect him to step up his Game with the Opportunity he’s been given..
Grahams contract isnt that bad for a penciled in starter productive in the pass rush game and if not a starter one of the quality rotation guys in the game. Plus they can get out of easily its a best a two year deal and I thought they could easily jump out of it next year before the season. Could be wrong though.
This should be a sack fest tonight…we need the defensive front seven to step up and get penetration tonight
On a sad note for me..dolphins have taken Mostert from us…ughhh
I’m sick of saying a Bill David defense. This hurry up doesn’t work. They are making the Falcons defense look like 2013 Seattle Seahaeks defense. It’s so frustrating watch this team
Guys this Chipmania has to be stop. It’s like he is playing Madden franchise mode. Chip: Oh look this guy has 98 speed and 99 agility I’m drafting him. Oh wait McCoy is 5’10 7/8″ I trading him and signing Murray who is 5’11 because he is an 1/8″ taller.” I’m sick of this shit! Get me a PROVEN NFL COACH and give a PRO FOOTBALL scheme with a REAL Defensive Coordinatir. I rather have Juan Castillo. The 3-4 is over rated and we don’t the players for that scheme. We need to play and switch to a 4-3 with Curry playing the 7 tech and Barwin playing the LEO. I’m so pissed at this point. Who’s the genius that gave these turds at guard extensions CHIP!
Thanks Maxwell. Our 63 million dollar corner lost the game for us and a 630k dollar DB won it for them. Thanks