X-factor: Can Falcons defend Eagles’ weaponry?
PHILADELPHIA – In their season-opener, the Eagles’ offense did it all.
They scored on big-plays passing. They ran the ball powerfully. They converted on third downs like clockwork. In the 34-29 win over the Packers, quarterback Jalen Hurts amassed 25 first downs and 410 yards of offense.
While wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) was declared out on Sunday, the X-factor in the game will be how the Falcons defend the Eagles’ play-makers in Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver Devonta Smith when they play at 8:15 p.m. Monday at Lincoln Financial Field.
“Jalen is a problem,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said.
Smith was referred to as the “Slim Reaper” by Morris because of slight build (6-foot-1, 175 pounds). He caught eight passes against the Packers and five went for first downs.
With Brown out, Jahan Dotson, a former first-round pick (16th overall) by Washington in 2022, will see more action. He averaged 12.4 yards per catch and scored 11 touchdowns in two seasons with the Commanders.
Barkley, the former New York Giants star, signed with the Eagles in free agency and had three touchdowns in his debut with his new team.
“He’s explosive,” Morris said. “He’s fast. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He can do it all.”
Hurts rushed for 33 yards and passed for 278. He also had two sacks and two interceptions. The Falcons want to contain Hurts on his read-pass option plays and get some sacks when he passes.
“We didn’t get a lot of (opportunities) at all,” defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I felt they tried to air it out a lot against Green Bay, so hopefully we’ll get some more pass-rush opportunities.”
Former Dallas offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is in his first year with the Eagles.
“I definitely think we will (get more pass-rush opportunities) just based on the nature of the game and what they like to do,” Graham said. “With Kellen Moore being the (offensive coordinator), I know they are going to try to go out there and spin it.”
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
