The Atlanta Falcons spent a lot of money this offseason upgrading their roster with the hope of securing their first winning season and playoff berth since 2017. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was the marquee acquisition brought in to stabilize a position that’s been ineffective since the end of the Matt Ryan era. Welp, after Week 1 we can see there are still some issues. Cousins tossed a pair of interceptions and the Falcons lost outright 18-10 as a 4-point favorite at the Crypto sportsbook.
Putting a somber close to the 2023 season behind them, the Eagles’ offense looked in mid-season form in their 34-29 win over Green Bay. Jalen Hurts took a brunt of the criticism for the team losing five of its last six regular season games and the disappearing act in the wild card loss to Tampa Bay. Hurts had a big game in the most recent meeting between the clubs throwing for 264 yards and three touchdowns in Philadelphia’s 32-6 road win in 2021. The last six encounters have all cashed the UNDER with the total positioned at 47.
NFL Betting Lines
Falcons at Eagles Betting Lines
Atlanta Falcons +6.5 / ML +243
Philadelphia Eagles -6.5 / ML -286
Total 47
Falcons at Eagles Same Game Parlay Picks
Atlanta +6.5
Atlanta / Philadelphia UNDER 47
Kirk Cousins OVER Passing Yard Total
With elevated expectations starting the season 0-2 would not be a good look for the Falcons. With the talented skill players on the roster they should perform better than they did last week and they won’t have T.J. Watt abusing them, so that’s a plus. Cousins didn’t play a snap during the preseason and he hadn’t played in a game in nearly a year having last season cut short with an Achilles injury sustained in Minnesota’s Week 8 win over Green Bay.
So you could say the veteran is just now getting back into the swing of things. After his Falcons debut that saw him go 16 of 26 for 155 yards with a touchdown and two picks, coach Raheem Morris said Cousins is healthy so there is no reason to insert Michael Penix just yet.
Cousins has a history against the Eagles with this being the third consecutive season he was the opposing QB in Philly’s home opener. In 11 career starts against the Eagles Cousins threw for 3,341 yards and 26 touchdowns going 6-5 in those games. He’s thrown for more than 300 yards six times and faces a pass defense that has some holes. Jordan Love had 260 passing yards and two TDs last week against the Eagles. The over/under on Cousins’ passing yards has yet to surface, but if the total is in the 250 range I’m taking the OVER on my NFL parlay.
I don’t think Atlanta’s defense got enough credit for keeping them in the game last week. The group didn’t allow a touchdown and held the Steelers to 270 total yards and 4.1 yards per play. Justin Fields had just 156 passing yards but he totaled 57 of Pittsburgh’s 137 rushing yards. Hurts could exploit Atlanta on the ground with his ability to extend plays.
The addition of Saquon Barkley helped last week with the former Giant rushing for 109 yards and two TDs with an additional 23 yards and a score on two receptions. The balanced attack helped the Eagles amass 410 total yards. As much as I want to back Philly in this game I think the Falcons will come out with a purpose and Cousins will be much better. Drake London had just two catches last week and should be a bigger part of Atlanta’s offense helping them stay within the spread.
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