PHILADELPHIA vs DALLAS
When: 12/27/2020 4:25 PM
Where:

TV: 4:25 PM
LINE: 2.5
PREDICTION: DALLAS , PHILADELPHIA

Oddsmakers currently have the DALLAS listed as 2.5 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 49.5.

A lot has changed in the past two months, since Week 8, when the starting quarterbacks for the Philadelphia-Dallas game were rookie Ben DiNucci for the Cowboys and veteran Carson Wentz for the Eagles.

For this Sunday’s NFC East rematch in Arlington, Texas, they have sort of flip-flopped behind center, with Philly starting a rookie and Dallas starting a veteran.

Two native Texans will be under center as 22-year-old rookie Jalen Hurts leads Philadelphia (4-9-1) against 33-year-old veteran Andy Dalton and Dallas (5-9).

With the Washington Football Team sitting at 6-8, both teams need to win and get some help to keep their faint playoff pulse going.

Hurts, a second-round pick, is 1-1 as the starter since replacing Wentz. After an upset win against New Orleans in Week 14, the Eagles fell 33-26 last Sunday at Arizona despite 338 yards and four touchdowns from Hurts (three passes and a 7-yard run).

“He led the team. He played mentally and physically tough,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “He’s an extremely hard worker. He’s diligent. He wants to improve. He took the loss (Sunday) very personally. He wants to get back out there and keep going.”

Since taking over for Wentz in the second half at Green Bay in Week 13, Hurts has generated 812 yards of total offense (614 passing, 198 rushing) with six TDs. Most important, perhaps, is that he has turned the ball over only twice in those 10 quarters. Wentz hasn’t played since Dec. 6 and his 15 interceptions are still two more than any other player.

“I think I hate losing more than I love to win,” Hurts said after coming up short against the Cardinals. “It’s not a great feeling. It’s a learning lesson. Everything can be better moving forward.”

The Cowboys have certainly played better since Dalton returned to the lineup in Week 11, winning back-to-back games and three of their last five. He has completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 1,097 yards with 10 scores and three picks during that five-game stretch. He has not been intercepted since Dec. 8.

Signed to a one-year deal to back up Dak Prescott, Dalton’s stay in Dallas could be extended beyond this season based on his recent play.

“He’s doing a great job, and certainly we’d love to have him back,” Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said on 105.3 FM The Fan after Sunday’s 41-33 win against the 49ers.

“We’ll just have to address that at the end of the year in terms of what goals, what he’s wanting to do, what his opportunities are, but he’s a guy who’s from this area, went to school over at TCU, and I know he makes his home right here in Dallas. … So, I’m sure we’ll have every opportunity to talk through what the business is going to be with Andy, but he’s just a class act.”

After missing his first-ever regular-season game due to injury last week, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (calf) did resistance training at practice Wednesday and could be back in the lineup Sunday.

Tony Pollard scored twice and gained 132 yards from scrimmage (69 yards on a 5.8-yard rushing average with two TDs), against the Niners in Elliott’s absence.

Five players missed Wednesday’s workouts for the Cowboys: linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (ankle), defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (ankle), safety Xavier Woods (ribs), cornerback Rashard Robinson (knee) and tight end Blake Bell (illness). Receiver Michael Gallup (hip), linebackers Jaylon Smith (wrist) and Sean Lee (knee) and corners Chidboe Awuzie (ankle/knee) and Trevon Diggs (foot) were full participants.

Cornerback Darius Slay was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice for Philly after missing the Arizona game with a concussion. Rookie wideout Jalen Reagor (ankle) and linebacker Duke Riley (bicep) were both limited, while Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (neck, rest), defensive end Josh Sweat (wrist), cornerback Kevon Seymour (knee), tight end Richard Rodgers (ankle) and punter Cameron Johnston (concussion) did not participate.

The Eagles are looking to sweep the season series for the first time since 2011. In the first meeting, Philadelphia sacked DiNucci four times and the 2020 seventh-rounder lost two fumbles.

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WASHINGTON vs PHILADELPHIA
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -4.5
PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA , WASHINGTON

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as -4.5 point favorites versus the WASHINGTON, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.5.

The battle for the last playoff spot comes down to the last game of the season and involves one of the last teams anyone thought would be in this position back in September.

The Washington Football Team (6-9), which began the season by abandoning a controversial nickname and ends it by moving on from a controversial quarterback, will clinch the NFC East with a victory Sunday night against the host Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1).

A loss to the Eagles will give the division title and No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs to the winner of Sunday afternoon’s game between the visiting Dallas Cowboys (6-9) and New York Giants (5-10).

Washington played well in two previous appearances in the national spotlight, roasting the Cowboys 41-16 on Thanksgiving Day and defeating the previously unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers 23-17 in a Monday game in Week 13. Both of those wins were on the road.

“The one thing I will say, the other two games we’ve been on the stage: our guys came out and played well and had fun,” said head coach Ron Rivera. “That’s the biggest thing. We’ve got to get back to having a little bit of fun. The truth of the matter is we’re playing with house money. That’s the best part about it.”

In his first season on the job, Rivera has Washington on the brink of its first playoff berth since 2015.

“Take the pressure off ourselves and go have fun. That’s the truth of the matter,” Rivera said. “We control our own destiny. It’s in our hands. All the cliches. We’re going to have fun with it and go with it.”

Second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins won’t be part of the fun. Washington released the 2019 first-round pick on Monday, the day after he committed three turnovers in a 20-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers and a few days after he was fined $40,000 and stripped of his captaincy for COVID-19 protocol violations.

Haskins passed for 178 yards and a touchdown in Washington’s season-opening 27-17 victory against Carson Wentz and the Eagles. Sixteen weeks later, Haskins is gone and Wentz is on the bench for the fourth straight game since losing his job to rookie Jalen Hurts.

Rivera is hoping Alex Smith will return after missing two games with an injured right calf. If not, Taylor Heinicke will run the offense for Washington. Smith did not practice Wednesday.

The Eagles, who have allowed 1,039 yards in their last two losses, want to make sure whoever is under center for Washington does not have any fun Sunday night.

Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz issued a “no-hat rule” this week, meaning he wants to make sure Washington doesn’t get to celebrate at Lincoln Financial Field.

“We’ve got to have a no-hat rule this week,” he said. “We can’t let opponents put division win hats on at the Linc. There’s a lot of pride in that, and all our focus has to be to accomplishing that this week.”

Nine players did not practice for the Eagles on Wednesday, including defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (neck), defensive end Derek Barnett (calf), wide receiver DeSean Jackson (ankle) and tight end Dallas Goedert (calf). Linebacker Duke Riley (biceps) was a limited participant.

In addition to Smith, leading rusher Antonio Gibson (toe) and leading receiver Terry McLaurin (ankle) were among the six players held out of practice Wednesday by Washington. Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis (ankle) and defensive tackle Tim Settle (shoulder) were limited participants.

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PHILADELPHIA vs WASHINGTON
When: 9/13/2020 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 6.5
PREDICTION: WASHINGTON , PHILADELPHIA

Oddsmakers currently have the WASHINGTON listed as 6.5 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.

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PHILADELPHIA vs ATLANTA
When: 8:20 PM ET, Sunday, September 15, 2019
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC.
LINE: Eagles -1.5.
O/U: 52.5
PREDICTION: Eagles 28, Falcons 24

Oddsmakers currently have the ATLANTA listed as 1 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 51.

The Philadelphia Eagles aim to begin a season with a 2-0 mark for the second time in four years on Sunday night when they visit the Atlanta Falcons, who are looking to avert an 0-2 start for the first time since 2007. The Eagles were able to overcome a 17-point deficit in their 32-27 win over Washington while Atlanta was unable to climb out of a four-touchdown deficit in its 28-12 setback to Minnesota.

Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz established quick chemistry with the returning DeSean Jackson on a pair of long scoring strikes to highlight his three-touchdown performance versus the Redskins. “Once again, this is his show, and he is driving the car,” said the 32-year-old Jackson, who reeled in eight receptions for 154 yards against his former team. Pennsylvania-born Matt Ryan was intercepted twice and sacked four times to put the Falcons in a sizable hole versus the Vikings while a banged up offensive line did little for Devonta Freeman, who had eight carries for 19 yards and a fumble. “I don’t want to make (it about) one game … that’s not indicative of who I think we will be. Or, who we were in that game,” Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (1-0): While it’s transparent that wideout Alshon Jeffrey (receiving and rushing touchdown) and tight end Zach Ertz will have significant impacts on the passing game, it’s not exactly clear how Philadelphia’s congested backfield will play out this season. Speedy rookie Miles Sanders and veteran Darren Sproles each had 12 touches in the opener while offseason acquisition Jordan Howard amassed 55 scrimmage yards on just 17 plays. “Sometimes it’s the hot hand,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said, “but sometimes it’s based on game plan and who is in at that particular time.” Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who is nursing a toe injury, has registered 3.5 sacks in his past four games against Atlanta and had 7.5 of his 10.5 sacks last season on the road.

ABOUT THE FALCONS (0-1): Julio Jones, who found the end zone in the fourth quarter to salvage his season-opening performance, has recorded five 100-plus-yard efforts in six all-time meetings with Philadelphia. Another such performance would be Jones’ 50th of his career and likely push his receiving yard total (10,762) past former teammate Roddy White (10,863). Fellow wideout Calvin Ridley also scored a late touchdown against Minnesota and returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where he collected six receiving scores in eight games during his rookie season in 2018. Tight end Austin Hooper continues to provide a trusted outlet for Ryan after reeling in a team-leading nine catches in the opener.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ryan has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 16 consecutive contests dating to Atlanta’s 18-12 loss to Philadelphia in the 2018 season opener.

2. The Eagles agreed to terms with Akeem Spence and placed fellow DT Malik Jackson (foot) on injured reserve.

3. Atlanta’s Jamon Brown will play RG in place of first-round pick Chris Lindstrom, who was placed on injured reserve with a broken foot.

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WASHINGTON vs PHILADELPHIA
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 8, 2019
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -9
PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA , WASHINGTON

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as -9 point favorites versus the WASHINGTON, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

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PHILADELPHIA EAGLES vs DALLAS COWBOYS
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, December 9, 2018
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

TV: 4:25 PM
LINE: -3.5
PREDICTION: DALLAS , PHILADELPHIA

Oddsmakers currently have the DALLAS listed as -3.5 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.

The Dallas Cowboys began the turnaround to their season by watching Ezekiel Elliott score twice in a 27-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 11. The Cowboys bid to strengthen their grip atop the NFC East and push their winning streak to five games at AT&T Stadium on Sunday when they vie for their first season sweep of the Eagles since 2012.

Elliott rushed for 151 yards and added six catches for 36 yards in Philadelphia on that night, beginning a stretch of four games in which he totaled 666 scrimmage yards (469 rushing, 197 receiving) and five touchdowns. The 2016 NFL rushing leader hasn’t spared the Eagles since entering the league, erupting for 476 scrimmage yards in three encounters. Philadelphia answered its setback to Dallas by getting shellacked by New Orleans, but has since regained its swagger with consecutive victories over NFC East rivals New York and Washington to remain one game behind the first-place Cowboys with four to play. “I mean, you look at Dallas’ history, they always choke. So we’ll go down there and make them choke.” Eagles linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill said, via NBC Philadelphia.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Cowboys -3.5. O/U: 44

ABOUT THE EAGLES (6-6): Carson Wentz, who reached the 300-yard plateau for the fifth time this season in Monday’s 28-13 win over the Redskins, threw for a season-high 360 yards to go along with a pair of touchdown passes to tight end Zach Ertz in the first meeting with Dallas. Ertz posted campaign bests in receptions (14) and receiving yards (145) in that contest and could become the fourth tight end in NFL history to record at least 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season with seven catches and 22 receiving yards on Sunday. In-season trade acquisition Golden Tate made his presence felt with seven receptions for 85 yards and a score against Washington and aims to light up the Cowboys for the second time this season, having done so with eight catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns in Detroit’s 26-24 setback on Sept. 30. “I don’t think about the individual too much. I just wanted to be available when my time came and wanted to help this team win and win a lot,” the 30-year-old Tate said.

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (7-5): Dak Prescott was efficient in Thursday’s 13-10 upset of New Orleans, completing a season-best 85.7 percent of his passes (24 of 28) for 249 yards. The 25-year-old has developed chemistry with in-season trade acquisition Amari Cooper, connecting eight times in back-to-back weeks and on six occasions in the first meeting with Philadelphia. Cole Beasley (team-leading 48 receptions) is dealing with an injured foot that had him limited in practice this week, but the 29-year-old feels he can contribute despite making just three catches for 14 yards over his last two outings. “I’m feeling good,” Beasley told The Dallas Morning News. “If it was game time, I’d be able to go right now.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. Philadelphia DE Michael Bennett recorded two of his team-leading 6.5 sacks in the first meeting with Dallas.

2. Cowboys rookie LB Leighton Vander Esch registered a season-high 13 tackles and an interception in the initial encounter with the Eagles.

3. Philadelphia DE Brandon Graham has four sacks and two forced fumbles in his past four outings versus Dallas.

PREDICTION: Eagles 23, Cowboys 21

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CAROLINA PANTHERS vs PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 21, 2018
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -4.5
PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA , CAROLINA

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as -4.5 point favorites versus the CAROLINA, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers envision themselves as contenders in the NFC this season, and Sunday’s game between the teams at Lincoln Financial Field should provide a good litmus test to see where each stands. Carson Wentz tossed three touchdown passes in last week’s 34-13 win over the New York Giants and had the same total in a 28-23 victory over the Panthers last season.

Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson has no designs on looking past Carolina, a team that has qualified for the playoffs in four of the last five seasons and posted a quality win over Cincinnati in Week 3. “That was kind of the message last year,” Pederson said. “It’s going to have to be a complete game if we expect to win. Yeah, it’s going to be a really good test for us to see where we are in Week 7.” While the Eagles evened their record with a convincing road victory last week, the Panthers are looking for a statement win on Sunday after falling to 0-2 away from the Tar Heel State with a 23-17 setback against Washington last week. “That old saying — ‘If you want to be the champs, you’ve got to be able to beat the champs’ — that’s the truth,” Carolina coach Ron Rivera said. “They’re a good football team. They’re very well coached. … This is a game that can tell you a lot about yourself.”

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Eagles -4.5. O/U: 45.5

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (3-2): Cam Newton, who threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns versus the Redskins, tossed three interceptions in his last encounter with Philadelphia. Christian McCaffrey has proven to be Newton’s safety blanket out of the backfield, as the shifty back leads the team with 34 receptions this season and had 10 catches and a touchdown in last year’s contest versus the Eagles. Wideout Devin Funchess found the end zone last week and has scored twice in his past three road games while former Eagle Torrey Smith also notched a touchdown against the Redskins.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (3-3): Tight end Zack Ertz has found the end zone in back-to-back contests overall and erupted for two touchdowns in his last meeting with Carolina. Nelson Agholor also scored in that contest and had a team-high 91 receiving yards against the Giants while fellow wideout Alshon Jeffery had eight catches for 74 yards and two scores last week. The ground game produced modest results in its first contest without Jay Ajayi, although Corey Clement found the end zone versus the Giants. Wendell Smallwood will vie for a touchdown in his third straight home game on Sunday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Carolina DE Julius Peppers recorded a sack and forced fumble both last week and in the previous meeting with Philadelphia.

2. Eagles LT Jason Peters is expected to play on Sunday despite sustaining a biceps injury last week.

3. Carolina’s fourth-ranked ground attack (139.4) will square off against Philadelphia’s second-ranked rush defense (79.8).

PREDICTION: Panthers 27, Eagles 23

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MINNESOTA vs PHILADELPHIA
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 7, 2018
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: 4:25 PM
LINE: -3
PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA , MINNESOTA

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as -3 point favorites versus the MINNESOTA, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings meet at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday in a rematch of the NFC Championship Game with two different quarterbacks under center. After watching Nick Foles and Case Keenum lead their respective teams into January’s high-stakes match, Carson Wentz and Kirk Cousins will get the call this time around as the clubs look to regain their winning form.

Philadelphia fell for the first time this season with Wentz at the helm, although the 25-year-old showed no signs of the ACL and LCL tears he sustained in December by throwing for 348 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s 26-23 overtime setback to Tennessee. “We’re 2-2 right now. We’d love to be 4-0, but this is just where we’re at,” Wentz said. “We’re a month in still trying to figure out 100 percent who we are. But at the same time, we know the guys we have and we know what we’re capable of doing.” Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer isn’t taking a gloom-and-doom approach after seeing his team extend its winless skid to three games following last Thursday’s 38-31 setback to the high-octane Los Angeles Rams. “This isn’t a time for ‘woe is me,'” Zimmer said. “If people remember, we were 2-2 this time last year. We finished 13-3. We were 5-0 the year before and we finished 8-8. We were 2-2 the year before that and we finished 11-5, so all the predictors, this isn’t a good time to predict.”

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Eagles -3. O/U: 46

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (1-2-1): Cousins passed for 422 yards with three touchdowns versus the Rams and has tossed 12 scoring strikes against three interceptions in four career meetings at Philadelphia. The 30-year-old Cousins will look to exploit the Eagles’ 19th-ranked pass defense with the capable duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, who have combined for 67 receptions and five touchdowns this season. Thielen, who had eight catches for 135 yards and a score versus the Rams, joined Isaac Bruce and Randy Moss as the lone wideouts since 1970 to reach triple digits in yards in each of the team’s first four games. Diggs reeled in 11 receptions for 123 yards against Los Angeles and had eight catches for 70 yards in the 38-7 setback versus Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (2-2): Alshon Jeffery made a triumphant return from an extended absence following shoulder surgery to make eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Titans last week. “It was great to have Alshon back out there. A guy that can make contested catches, can make plays for you, can give the offense a spark,” Wentz said of Jeffery, who eviscerated the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game in January with a pair of scoring receptions. Tight end Zach Ertz recorded his second double-digit reception performance in three games with 10 catches for a season-high 112 yards versus Tennessee. Despite those gaudy numbers, the Eagles rank 26th in points per game (20.5), third in penalty yards (343) and saw their offensive line surrender four sacks to the Titans last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Minnesota’s offensive coordinator John DeFilippo was Philadelphia’s quarterbacks coach last season.

2. Wentz has won each of his past nine home starts for the Eagles, who are 17-3 at Lincoln Financial Field (playoffs included) with coach Doug Pederson on the sideline.

3. RB Dalvin Cook did not practice on Thursday for the Vikings, whose league’s worst rushing attack (63.0 yards per game) faces Philadelphia’s top-ranked unit (63.8).

PREDICTION: Vikings 24, Eagles 23

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PHILADELPHIA vs TAMPA BAY
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 16, 2018
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 3
PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY , PHILADELPHIA

Oddsmakers currently have the TAMPA BAY listed as 3 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.

Backup quarterbacks making the most of their opportunities will be on display on Sunday as Nick Foles guides the Philadelphia Eagles into the Sunshine State to face Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Foles, however, has sputtered since his MVP-winning performance in Super Bowl LII while Fitzpatrick rode a five-touchdown effort (four passing, one rushing) in the season opener to NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

“You know I’m better right now than I’ve been at any point in my career and a lot of that is mentally and whatever else. Truly I feel like the older I’ve gotten, the better I’ve become,” the 35-year-old Fitzpatrick said on Thursday, four days after throwing for a career-best 417 yards to fuel upstart Tampa Bay to a 48-40 victory over New Orleans. Fitzpatrick, who is playing in place of the suspended Jameis Winston, tossed a pair of touchdown passes to former Eagles wideout DeSean Jackson and one each to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The clock may be ticking for Foles as franchise quarterback Carson Wentz reportedly inches closer to a return after injuring his ACL and LCL in December. Foles threw for just 117 yards with an interception in the Eagles’ 18-12 victory versus Atlanta on Sept. 6, although the signal caller finds himself in a favorable situation as he faces an injury-depleted Buccaneers secondary that was gashed for 439 passing yards last weekend.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Eagles -3. O/U: 44

ABOUT THE EAGLES (1-0): Zach Ertz answered a career-best eight-touchdown effort in 2017 by dropping a pair of passes in the season opener, leaving the tight end searching for answers. “I don’t think I’ve ever dropped that many balls in a game in my life. Contested or not, whatever it was, it just can’t happen,” the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Ertz said. Nelson Agholor proved to be Foles’ most sure-handed receiver last week with eight receptions, albeit for just 33 yards. Doug Pederson limited Jay Ajayi in the first half against the Falcons due to his ailing toe before upping his carries, resulting in a pair of touchdown runs as well as the coach’s admission that the running back’s workload would increase.

ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (1-0): Tampa Bay’s secondary was still licking its wounds from a savage beating by the Saints before it was dealt another brutal hit with cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (shoulder) being placed on injured reserve. With four-time Pro Bowl selection Brent Grimes nursing a groin injury that sidelined him for the season opener, Tampa Bay relied on rookies Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart as well as third-year pro Ryan Smith versus New Orleans — and the results weren’t pretty. Linebackers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander each recorded nine tackles last week while former Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry registered the team’s lone sack. Speaking of former Eagles, Jackson was limited in practice Thursday as he deals with a concussion and shoulder injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Tampa Bay TE Cameron Brate did not have a target — let alone a reception — last week after recording 48 catches for 591 yards and six touchdowns in 2017.

2. Philadelphia LB Jordan Hicks and DT Fletcher Cox each had 1.5 sacks in the season opener.

3. Tampa Bay’s Peyton Barber had 19 of the 22 carries by the team’s running backs last week.

PREDICTION: Eagles 24, Buccaneers 21

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Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles
When: 8:20 PM ET, Thursday, September 6, 2018
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: 8:20 PM
LINE: -3.5
PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA , ATLANTA

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as -3.5 point favorites versus the ATLANTA, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.5.

After serving as the site of a months-long party in the wake of the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Super Bowl title in franchise history, the City of Brotherly Love will host the 2018 NFL regular-season opener when the Atlanta Falcons pay a visit on Thursday. The Eagles, who embraced the “underdog” role despite being the top seed, began their postseason journey with a 15-10 triumph over the Falcons in the NFC divisional round.

Nick Foles, who has been named the starter for Thursday’s contest, relieved the injured Carson Wentz (knee) late in the season and steered Philadelphia to a 41-33 win over New England in the NFL’s signature game while garnering Super Bowl MVP honors in the process. With a wide receiver corps in flux due to injury, the Eagles — who scored a league third-best 28.6 points per game in 2017 — may need to rely on Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement and a ground game that ranked third with an average of 132.2 yards per contest. Atlanta’s Matt Ryan, who is a Philly area native, followed his 2016 NFL MVP season by eclipsing 4,000 yards for his franchise-record seventh consecutive campaign before signing a five-year, $150 million contract on May 3. Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones led the NFC with 1,444 receiving yards in 2017 and has four straight 100-plus receiving yard performances versus the Eagles, who boasted the NFL’s stingiest pass defense in 2017.

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Eagles -2.5. O/U: 45

ABOUT THE FALCONS (2017: 10-6, 3RD IN NFC SOUTH): Devonta Freeman and fellow running back Tevin Coleman fueled Atlanta’s eighth-ranked offense and kept defenses off balance last season by combining for over 2,100 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns. Coach Dan Quinn, however, said he expects even more production out of the backfield this season, starting with a date against a Philadelphia team that had the third-best rush defense in 2017. “I think it’s two good line of scrimmage teams. Who can do that better and execute better?” Quinn said. “… We didn’t run it quite as well as we’d liked, but we know that’s a big part of what we do and kind of marries up with the play-action and the keepers that going along with that. That’s what makes us so difficult to defend.” Freeman had a touchdown reception against the Eagles in their playoff encounter.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (2017: 13-3, 1ST IN NFC EAST): Philadelphia became the 11th team in NFL history with three players recording at least eight touchdown receptions last season, with Zach Ertz leading all NFC tight ends with 74 receptions and 824 yards to go along with a career-high eight scores. Alshon Jeffery (nine TDs) and fellow wideout Nelson Agholor (eight TDs) are on that list, with the former already ruled out for Thursday’s contest as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Defensive end Brandon Graham, who stripped Tom Brady of the ball in the final two-plus minutes of Super Bowl LII, had a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2017 and also had one in the last encounter against Atlanta. Linebacker Nigel Bradham also registered a sack in the last meeting versus the Falcons after collecting a team-leading 88 tackles in the regular season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Atlanta LB Deion Jones joined Carolina’s Luke Kuechly and Jacksonville’s Telvin Smith as the lone players to record 100-plus tackles and three-plus interceptions last season.

2. Philadelphia’s Markus Wheaton, who was cut by the team in May, was re-signed on Tuesday to add depth to the ailing wide receiver position.

3. The Eagles have won six of their last seven season openers while the Falcons have emerged victorious in three of their last four.

PREDICTION: Falcons 24, Eagles 14

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