3 key matches: Eagles at Falcons
Eagles WR Nelson Agholor vs. Falcons CB Desmond Trufant: Agholor was the 20th pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Trufant missed part of the exhibition season with a shoulder strain. Agholor, who had a fine exhibition season, is a perfect fit in Chip Kelly's offensive attack. Trufant is the Falcons' top cornerback and last season covered the opposition's top receiver.
Eagles RT Lane Johnson vs. Falcons DE Vic Beasley: Johnson started 12 games last season. Beasley was the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Don't expect the Falcons to line up Beasley too much over left tackle Jason Peters, a seven-time Pro Bowler. The matchup against Johnson will be better for the rookie. Beasley, Clemson's career sack leader, was added to help improve the Falcons' pass rush.
Eagles LB Kiko Alonso vs. Falcons RB Tevin Coleman: Alonso, whom the Eagles acquired from Buffalo in the LeSean McCoy trade, played in the exhibition season finale and made two tackles. He was acquired to add some teeth to the Eagles' defense. Alonso missed all of last season with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament and missed most of the exhibition season with a concussion and knee tendinitis. Coleman, a rookie, nudged out Devonta Freeman for the starting position. He rushed for more than 2,000 yard at Indiana last season and showed signs of promise during the exhibition season.
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.
