Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons 9/12/21 - NFL Picks & Predictions

On Sunday the Philadelphia Phillies visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia to play the Atlanta Falcons in the opening game of the NFL regular season for both teams. Philadelphia finished the preseason 0-2-1 after playing to a 31-31 tie with the New York Jets on Friday. Jalen Hurts will start at quarterback, but back up Joe Flacco tossed a pair of touchdowns in the final preseason game and could see action if Hurts is not productive.

Miles Sanders will start at running back for the Eagles and Boston Scott will be his backup. DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins are the top three wide receivers for the Eagles. On defense, the Eagles will play a 4-3 with Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox and Derek Barnett on the front line backed up by linebackers Alex Singleton, Eric Wilson and Genard Avery. Cornerback Darius Slay leads a strong secondary for the Eagles.

Atlanta was 0-3 in the preseason following a 19-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns in the final game. Josh Rosen was signed by Atlanta and played the entire second half against the Browns, in an attempt to be Matt Ryan’s backup. Ryan starts once again under center for Atlanta and will have Mike Davis as the top running back and Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage and Olamide Zaccheaus as the top three wide receivers.

Atlanta's defense is a 3-4 and will be led up front by Jonathan Bullard, Tyeler Davision and Grady Jarrett. The linebacker corps is led by Deion Jones, Dante Fowler Jr. and Jacob Tuioti-Mariner. The Falcons secondary is suspect and will have Duron Harmon and Erik Harris as the two starting safeties while AJ Terrell and Fabian Moreau will start at the cornerback positions.