ESPN Insider Eagles vs Falcons

Just got it off the EMB.....posted by yahmpy

QBs highlight MNF matchup

By Scouts, Inc.

Why To Watch

The defending NFC champion Eagles look to put a tumultuous offseason behind them as they travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons in a rematch of last season's NFC championship game. WR Terrell Owens is always the headline, but no Week 1 game provides a better quarterback showdown than that of Michael Vick versus Donovan McNabb. The defensive unit that is able to best contain the opposing signal-caller will put its team in great position to begin the 2005 season undefeated.

When the Eagles have the ball

Rushing: The Eagles may have finally found the powerful running complement to Brian Westbrook in the form of recently signed Lamar Gordon. However, since Gordon has less than a week of experience with the team, expect his role to be limited. Westbrook had good success with 96 yards on 16 carries against the Falcons in last year's playoff meeting and we should expect a similar load for the shifty back on Monday night.

The Falcons owned the second-best run defense in the NFC in 2004 but gave up more than their regular season average against the Eagles in last year's playoffs. Part of the reason was the additional role played by McNabb, who rushed for 36 yards on 10 carries. By getting McNabb outside the pocket on several designed rollouts, offensive coordinator Brad Childress was able to put run-pass pressure on the Falcons' defense. After seeing the success of that game plan, don't be surprised if McNabb spends even more time rolling out.

Passing: The Eagles defeated the Falcons by 17 points in last year's playoffs, and that was with Owens watching in civilian clothes. Happy or not, Owens is healthy and back in the starting lineup for the Eagles, which gives them a huge added element to their attack. In order to keep Owens in check, look for the Falcons to play LDC DeAngelo Hall in some press coverage and use SS Keion Carpenter as a "bracket" defender deep and to the inside.

The goal will be to slow Owens at the line of scrimmage while also pounding him with the secondary's biggest hitter after the catch. In order to do so, the Falcons will need to roll their coverage to Owens' side and play FS Bryan Scott down the middle. That will open up a lot of room for Greg Lewis to operate on the opposite side.

In order to exploit the extra attention even more, look for Childress to get rookie WR Reggie Brown heavily involved in three-receiver sets. Brown can work a "high-low" attack when aligned on Owens' side or he will have more room to operate over the middle as a slot-receiver opposite Owens. Either way, it will force the Falcons to use nickel personnel, which will create better blocking options in the running game while also allowing McNabb the opportunity to pick on nickel DC Roderick Hood.

When the Falcons have the ball

Rushing: A year ago, Atlanta finished with a league-best 167 rushing yards per game. The versatility of the Falcons' rushing attack is what makes it so difficult to defend. RB Warrick Dunn is a quick, shifty runner with great vision and burst. He has the speed to turn the corner but he also is a tough inside runner who uses his small frame to get lost behind his offensive line. T.J. Duckett does not possess the perimeter speed but he's a bruising north-south runner who will deliver a blow and pick up lots of yardage after initial contact. The Falcons will continue to use Dunn as the premier ball carrier while also getting Duckett anywhere from 5-10 carries per game. A big, powerful back like Duckett can actually be a more effective option against a fast but undersized Eagles' defense.

While most of Vick's running production comes from him scrambling out of the pocket as a passer, it still can be a back-breaking addition to an already strong running game. The Eagles were not afraid to take an aggressive approach in last year's playoff victory and we should expect much of the same. By using eight man fronts and gap-controlled blitzes with their linebackers, the Eagles were able to frequently disrupt the Falcons' running attack in the backfield while also limiting Vick's running lanes off of broken down passing plays.

Until Vick's receivers demand more than man-to-man coverage on the perimeter, expect defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to come with the same aggressive approach.

Passing: The Eagles discipline will be tested in this matchup. Coordinator Jim Johnson prides himself on a one-gap attacking scheme that puts great pressure on opposing passers. The unit was able to get pressure on Vick in the last meeting while not opening up too many running lanes for the explosive quarterback to exploit. However, part of that four-sack, one-interception performance can be attributed to a frozen surface on the road in Philly.

Now the Eagles are faced with the challenge of repeating that production in Vick's backyard on a fast indoor surface. DE's Jevon Kearse and N.D. Kalu have mismatches against OT's Todd Weiner and Kevin Shaffer, respectively, but it will be important for both of the Eagle defensive ends to stay under control as they work upfield as pass rushers. DT Corey Simon (Colts) was never a great pass rusher but his presence will be missed in this game, as the Eagles will not be as deep or talented in the middle of their defensive line.

The Eagles have the athletes at linebacker to keep the Falcons' running backs in check. Furthermore, DC's Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard should fare well in their matchups versus first-year starter Michael Jenkins and hobbled veteran Dez White. However, the Eagles will have to keep close tabs on pass-catching threat Alge Crumpler at the tight end position. Because of the nature of Johnson's aggressive scheme, DS's Michael Lewis and Brian Dawkins are frequently cheated up as extra linebackers. If they get caught peeking or taking false steps, Crumpler has the speed to burn them deep.

My opinion, especially with all that has happened today,

Eagles 35

Falcons 10

You really think the Falcons are going to put 10 on our defense? :laugh: