Whereas the Eagles faced the Minnesota Vikings the past two years, it’ll be the Atlanta Falcons coming to Lincoln Financial Field next Monday night. And they’ll be visiting as underdogs with the Eagles favored by 5.5 points, according to FanDuelFanDuel.
The Falcons sure did not look very good in their Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Atlanta entered the matchup as 4.5-point home favorites and lost by a final score of 18 to 10. The Steelers — led by frequent loser Justin Fields — were able to beat the Falcons despite not even scoring a touchdown, instead relying on six field goals to get the job done.
Cousins did not look deserving of that four-year, $180 million contract that the Falcons signed him to back in March. He went 16/26 for 155 yards (6.0 average), one touchdown, two interceptions (including a real WTF decision that essentially lost the game), and a 59.0 passer rating.
There are questions if the 36-year-old veteran is fully recovered from the Achilles injury he suffered in late October last season.
If history is any indication, Cousins doesn’t seem primed to bounce back in Philly. The Eagles have gotten the better of him in his last two visits to the Linc, generating four sacks and four takeaways. Plus, it’s not like Cousins has typically shined in the prime-time spotlight.
The crowd should be pretty juiced up for this one since: 1) the Eagles are 1-0, 2) it’s the Eagles’ true home opener after playing in Brazil, 3) Jason Kelce will be in attendance as part of the ESPN team, and 4) the team is honoring recently retired Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles at halftime.
I like the chances of the midnight green Birds coming out on top in this one. I can definitely see them winning by a touchdown, at least.
What say you?
Brandon Lee Gowton: