By Patrick Del Gaone, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
The Eagles dropped to 1-4 on the road, and 0-3 in the division, after being toppled by the Giants 28-23 at MetLife Stadium last Sunday.
This weekend, 4-4 Philadelphia looks to avoid their third straight defeat when they return home to take on the high-powered Atlanta Falcons.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
Quarterbacks
| Atlanta Falcons (6-3) | Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) |
| 2 Matt Ryan | 11 Carson Wentz |
| Stats: 2,980 YD, 23 TD, 4 INT | Stats: 1,890 YD, 9 TD, 5 INT |
Matt Ryan has blossomed into an MVP candidate under the direction of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan this season. Averaging just under ten yards per passing attempt, he's spearheaded the most prolific offense in the NFL to an astonishing 33.9 points-per-game.
Carson Wentz threw two early interceptions in last week's loss, giving the Giants great field position and an early lead, but rebounded in the final three quarters to finish the game with 364 yards passing. The Falcons' pass defense ranks 31st in the NFL, and Wentz could be in for another big day with starting cornerback Desmond Trufant sidelined.
Running Backs
| Atlanta Falcons (6-3) | Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) |
| 24 Devonta Freeman | 24 Ryan Mathews |
| Stats: 133 Att, 620 YD, 3 TD | Stats: 76 Att, 287 YD, 5 TD |
Another Falcon who has elevated his game immensely this season is versatile back Devonta Freeman. The threat of Julio Jones on the outside keeps defenses from being able to stack the line of scrimmage against the former Florida State Seminole. Freeman will look to bounce-back from a below average game against Green Bay in which he gained just 35 yards on 11 attempts.
Ryan Mathews is no longer the featured runner in Philadelphia's offense, but instead seems to be taking on the role of short-yardage and goal line back. Darren Sproles' dependability has vaulted him into the starting position, and barring injury, he'll receive the majority of the attempts for Philadelphia against Atlanta.
Wide Receivers
| Atlanta Falcons (6-3) | Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) | ||
| 11 Julio Jones | Stats: 51 Rec, 970 YD, 5 TD | 81 Jordan Matthews | Stats: 42 Rec, 507 YD, 3 TD |
| 12 Mohamed Sanu | Stats: 37 Rec, 416 YD, 3 TD | 17 Nelson Agholor | Stats: 25 Rec, 257 YD, 1 TD |
Atlanta boasts the most lethal passing game in the NFL, largely because of their 6'3", 220 pound stud wideout, Julio Jones. The Alabama product leads the NFL with 970 yards, while no other receiver has surpassed the 900 mark on the year. Jones can't be too happy with his individual performance last week, gaining just 29 yards on three grabs after receiving double-teams for a majority of the game.
The disparity between Atlanta's receivers and Philly's pass catchers cannot be understated. While Jordan Matthews is on pace for 1,000 yards, the production from the receiving corps as a whole has been abysmal. Atlanta struggles mightily defending against the pass, and with their best cornerback sidelined, Philadelphia's wideouts have their best opportunity for a breakout game this season.
Defense
| Atlanta Falcons (6-3) | Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) | ||
| 45 Deion Jones | Stats: 53 Tackles, 2 INT | 23 Rodney McLeod | Stats: 52 Tackles, 3 INT, 1 FF |
| 22 Keanu Neal | Stats: 57 Tackles, 3 FF | 53 Nigel Bradham | Stats: 53 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 INT |
| 44 Vic Beasley | Stats: 26 Tackles, 7.5 Sacks, 3 FF | 55 Brandon Graham | Stats: 26 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks, 2 FF |
Vic Beasley, while not a full time starter, is an absolutely menacing pass rusher with blazing speed from the left end position. The former Clemson Tiger will look to take advantage of an unstable right side of the Eagles' offensive line on Sunday afternoon.
When the Eagles' defense plays with ferocity, Rodney McLeod, Nigel Bradham and Brandon Graham are issuing thunderous hits all over the field. In recent weeks, those game-changing hits have been few and far between for Jim Schwartz's defense as a whole. Luckily for the Eagles, their defense has been outstanding in all three home games this season.
Player to Watch
| Atlanta Falcons (6-3) | Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) |
| 11 Julio Jones | 55 Brandon Graham |
| Stats: 51 Rec, 970 YD, 5 TD | Stats: 26 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks, 2 FF |
It'll take their best game of the year for the Philadelphia defensive backs to slow down Jones and the Falcons' receivers. Cornerback Leodis McKelvin is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, and rookie Jalen Mills is expected to start in his place. Jones averages nearly 20 yards per reception, and that number could continue to rise against Philly's depleted secondary.
Graham will face Falcons' right tackle Ryan Schraeder in a favorable matchup for the Eagles on Sunday afternoon. Teams have honed in on stopping Graham and Fletcher Cox with defensive tackle Bennie Logan absent in recent weeks. Now that Logan's back, look for Graham to have his way with Schraeder.
Injury Report
|
Atlanta Falcons (6-3) |
Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) |
||||
|
RB Tevin Coleman |
Hamstring |
Out |
TE Trey Burton |
Hamstring |
Questionable |
|
CB Desmond Trufant |
Shoulder |
Out |
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill |
Hamstring |
Doubtful |
|
TE Jacob Tamme |
Shoulder |
Out |
DT Taylor Hart | Ankle | Questionable |
| DT Bennie Logan | Groin | Questionable | |||
| CB Leodis McKelvin | Hamstring | Questionable | |||
| TE Brent Celek | Rib | Questionable | |||
| G Allen Barbre | Hamstring | Out | |||
| S Terrence Brooks | Hamstring | Out | |||
Game Notes
- The Eagles are undefeated at home this season (3-0), and have allowed just 23 total points in the three victories.
- Atlanta is 4-1 on the road in 2016.
- The last time these teams met, the Falcons defeated the Eagles 26-24 in the 2015 season opener on Monday Night Football.
- Philadelphia is 4-1 all-time against Atlanta at Lincoln Financial Field.
Where to Watch
TV: FOX (Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver)
Radio: 94 Sportsradio WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)
National Radio: Compass Media Networks
