FLOWERY BRANCH -- Here are three matchups to watch when the Falcons host the Eagles at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Eagles DT Fletcher Cox vs. Falcons LG Jalen Mayfield: Cox is one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles and is a six-time Pro Bowler. He’s listed on the Eagles’ depth chart as the right defensive tackle, which puts him over the Falcons’ rookie Mayfield, who played right tackle in college. Cox, 30, showed no signs of slowing last season, as he finished with 41 tackles, nine tackles for losses, nine quarterback hits and 6.5 sacks. Mayfield, who battled former Ohio State star Chase Young in the Big Ten to get on the NFL’s radar, played 124 snaps in the exhibition season. He also received extensive action in joint practices with the Dolphins.
Eagles RB Miles Sanders vs. Falcons ILB Foye Oluokun: Over two seasons, Sanders has averaged 4.9 yards per carry and has scored nine rushing touchdowns. The Eagles will rely on Sanders to get the rushing attack moving. Oluokun had a breakthrough season in 2020 as he set-single-season career-highs in tackles (116), sacks (three), interceptions (two), passes defensed (four), forced fumbles (four) and quarterback hits (nine) in 15 games.
Eagles SS Rodney McLeod vs. Falcons TE Kyle Pitts: McLeod is a savvy veteran who was selected as one of the team captains. He finished with 66 tackles last season and has 14 career interceptions. McLeod is listed at 5-foot-10, so the 6-6 Pitts will tower over him in one-on-one matchups. Pitts, who was the fourth overall pick taken in the draft, is set to make his NFL debut. The Philadelphia native starred at Florida. He played only two snaps in the exhibition season and had some good battles with Miami safety Eric Rowe over two joint practices with the Dolphins. “I’m comfortable,” Pitts said. “(Coach Arthur Smith) did everything for a reason. He did a great job of teaching.”
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