- WHERE: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
- WHEN: 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, NFL+
An NFC matchup closes out Week 2 action featuring the battle of the birds. The Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles wrap up the week at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Falcons are looking to bounce back after dropping the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. First-year head coach Raheem Morris’ squad managed to put 10 points in Kirk Cousins’ debut. Atlanta hopes the new coach-QB duo make the playoffs as the franchise seeks its first playoff appearance since 2017.
As for the Eagles, they are coming off a high-scoring win fresh from São Paulo, Brazil, over the Green Bay Packers. With a new running back in Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia’s offense soared in the first-ever game in South America on a rare Friday night. Head coach Nick Sirianni desires his team’s winning ways to continue in front of a roaring crowd in Philly.
Here are four things to watch for when the Eagles host the Falcons on Monday Night Football:
1) Can Cousins bounce back after a rough debut? The first showing of Kirk Cousins with the Falcons didn’t live up to the hype that many desired. Cousins, who suffered a torn Achilles last season, was signed to a four-year, $180 million contract to be the answer and lift the Falcons’ offense to new heights. In his first game back since the injury, Cousins completed 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. After his rusty performance, Cousins admitted that he “needed to play better.” Cousins has a chance to get back on track in Philadelphia. Against the Eagles, Cousins has averaged 311.5 offensive yards per game in his career, which is the third-most by any player with 10-plus starts versus a single opponent since 1950, per NFL Research. Monday will mark the third consecutive season that Cousins faces the Eagles on the road in Week 2. The last two matchups in Philly went in the Eagles’ favor, Cousins hopes the third time's the charm to sneak a win on the road with his new team.
2) Barkley appears to be what Philly needed. In Saquon Barkley’s first game with the Eagles, the running back had a historic performance in Brazil. Barkley was responsible for a game-high 109 rushing yards and tallied three touchdowns and he earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Even though the offense turned the ball over three times in the season opener, Jalen Hurts threw for 278 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Barkley’s play opened the passing game for Hurts at times as the veteran back carried the ball 24 times. In Week 1, Hurts wasn’t consistent in the passing game, but it was good enough to get the win over Green Bay. With Barkley being signed this offseason, many envisioned the QB-RB rushing attack under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s offense would flourish. Barkley, who played six seasons for NFC East rival New York Giants, will now get a chance to play at Lincoln Financial Field wearing a midnight green jersey under the bright lights on prime time.
3) Falcons' young playmakers must rise up to challenge. Atlanta has one of the best young cores from running back (Bijan Robinson) to wide receiver (Drake London) and tight end (Kyle Pitts). Earlier this past offseason, head coach Raheem Morris believed that the Falcons could produce the “best version” of Pitts in 2024. In Week 1, Pitts scored the team’s lone touchdown and had three catches for 26 yards. It wasn’t an eventful afternoon for Robinson and London against the Steelers. Robinson carried the ball 18 times for 68 yards (3.8 yards per carry) while London only managed to get targeted three times and recorded two receptions for 15 yards. Philly’s defense allowed 414 total yards (251 passing yards and 163 rushing yards) in the season opener, and Atlanta hopes Cousins and the rest of the offense could jump on the wagon together to pull off an upset against one of the top teams in the NFC.
4) Spotlight on DeVonta vs. Falcons. In his first start since he got a new three-year, $96 million contract extension, A.J. Brown certainly played like a WR1 in Brazil. Brown led the Eagles with 119 receiving yards on five receptions and one touchdown. However, Brown will be unavailable on Monday night due to a hamstring injury. DeVonta Smith had the most receptions on the team with seven and he chipped in 84 receiving yards, and he'll be looked to carry the load on Monday. The Falcons were one of two teams (Minnesota Vikings) to not allow a touchdown in Week 1. Atlanta’s pass rush with Grady Jarrett and Matthew Judon will attempt to slow Philly’s offense on Monday night.
