Eagles return home to host Falcons on Monday night

Updated Sep. 12, 2024 10:40 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Atlanta (0-1) at Philadelphia (1-0)

Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

BetMGM NFL Odds: Eagles by 6 1/2.

Against the spread: Atlanta 0-1; Philadelphia 1-0

Series record: Eagles lead 18-14-1

Last meeting: On Sept. 12, 2021, Jalen Hurts threw for 264 yards and 3 TDs and ran for 62 yards in Philadelphia’s 32-6 win at Atlanta.

Last week: Falcons lost 18-10 at home to the Steelers; Eagles beat the Packers 34-29 in Brazil.

Eagles offense: overall (4), rush (9), pass (6), scoring (T-3).

Eagles defense: overall (30), rush (T-25), pass (26), scoring (T-25).

Falcons offense: overall (29), rush (23), pass (T-25), scoring (T-28).

Falcons defense: overall (T-12), rush (20), pass (5), scoring (10).

Turnover differential: Falcons minus-3; Eagles minus-2.

Eagles player to watch

RB Saquon Barkley had a scintillating debut for Philadelphia after signing for $26 million guaranteed with the Eagles in the offseason. The No. 2 overall pick in 2018, who played the past six seasons with the Giants, rushed for 109 yards and 2 TDs on 24 carries and caught a pair of passes for 23 yards and a TD in the Week 1 win over Green Bay. Barkley had 5,211 rushing yards and 2,100 receiving yards with the Giants, including some big games against Philadelphia. Eagles fans surely will welcome Barkley with open arms in his first home game for the team.

Key matchup

Cousins vs. Eagles’ defensive front. Philadelphia’s defense allowed 414 yards against the Packers, including 251 through the air. The defensive front got very little push against Packers QB Jordan Love. They will hope to do better against the 36-year-old Cousins, who will be looking to bounce back from his Week 1 performance in which he passed for just 155 yards while throwing two interceptions and being sacked twice.

Key injuries

Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom returned against the Steelers after being evaluated for a possible head injury in the first half. ... Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (hand) and linebacker Devin White (ankle) were out for the season opener in Brazil.

Series notes

Philadelphia has won four of these teams’ past five meetings, including a playoff game in the 2015 season. ... This is the second of five prime-time games for the Eagles this season.

Stats and stuff

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal, with $100 million guaranteed, in the offseason. … Raheem Morris coached his first game with the Falcons in Week 1. … Atlanta’s defense didn’t allow a TD against the Steelers, giving up six field goals, including three of more than 50 yards, in the 18-10 loss to Pittsburgh. … RB Bijan Robinson (No. 8, 2023), WR Drake London (No. 8, 2022) and TE Kyle Pitts (No. 4, 2021) give Atlanta three offensive skill players who were drafted in the top 10. … DL Grady Jarrett had 1½ sacks and three QB hits against Pittsburgh. … Atlanta has had six straight losing seasons. ... The Eagles improved to 4-0 in openers under coach Nick Sirianni. … The Eagles are 14-4 on their home field since 2022. … New coordinators Kellen Moore (offense) and Vic Fangio (defense) will be coaching for the first time in the regular season in Philadelphia for the Eagles. … LB Zack Baun had a career-high 15 tackles, along with two sacks, against the Packers. … Barkley was selected as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

Fantasy tip

WR DeVonta Smith caught seven passes for 84 yards in Week 1 without reaching the end zone. Smith has Philadelphia’s franchise record for catches and receiving yards in the first three seasons as an Eagles player with 240 and 3,178, respectively.

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