The 4-4 Eagles have been perfect at home this season, but they're in for a huge test on Sunday when Matt Ryan and the high-flying Falcons (6-3) soar into Lincoln Financial Field.
Can rookie Carson Wentz and an Eagles attack that hasn't scored more than 23 points in its last five games -- four of them losses -- keep up with the NFL's top scoring offense? The Falcons average 33.9 points a game and are second in the league in total yards at 429.2 yards a game.
Priority No. 1 for the Eagles will be trying to stop Julio Jones, the NFL's leading receiver with 970 yards and five TDs. Jones has filleted Philly in the last two meetings between these two -- both Falcons wins -- while rolling up 264 yards of receptions and three TDs.
That won't be easy, however, given the way Matt Ryan -- who leads the NFL with 2,980 pass yards and 23 TD passes -- spreads the ball around. The MVP candidate has a stable of smart, unselfish targets in Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Mohamed Sanu, and Austin Hooper that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan continues to move around to create mismatches while defenses focus on Jones.
Pro Football Focus explains that one reason Ryan has been so good in his ninth season is that he's handling pressure well, protecting the football and has been deadly with the deep ball. Per PFF, Ryan is currently sixth in passer rating under pressure, at 82.8, and is one of five quarterbacks yet to throw an interception under duress this season. He has also thrown for the most deep-passing yards (on throws traveling 20-plus yards in the air) this season, with 779. He is second in both passer rating (138.6) and adjusted completion percentage (59.0) on such throws, and tied with Ben Roethlisberger for the most deep touchdowns (eight). Most importantly, he has no interceptions on deep passes.
It all adds up a huge challenge for the Eagles, who started the season 3-0 but continue to lose close games since a 1-point loss to the Lions in Week 5.
Wentz already has 1,890 passing yards in 2016, besting the previous best mark by an Eagles rookie QB of 1,699 yards by Nick Foles in 2012, but he's started to take his lumps in recent weeks. In the Eagles' Week 9 loss to the Giants, Wentz completed 27 of 47 passes for 364 yards -- his highest yardage total yet -- but also threw two picks on his first two drives. Over the last five games, he is averaging just 224.1 yards passing while throwing four touchdowns to five picks.
Here are more details on the matchup, including how to watch and stream the game.
How to Watch
- What: Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles
- When: Sunday, Nov. 13, 1 p.m. ET
- Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- TV: FOX (Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver)
- Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile app
- Sunday Ticket: DirectTV
- Online: NFL GamePass (game won't be available on GamePass until midnight)
- Odds: The Falcons are a 2-point favorite (via SportsLine)
Injury report
Falcons
- RB Tevin Coleman (hamstring) -- Out
- TE Jacob Tamme (shoulder) -- Out
- CB Desmond Trufant (shoulder) -- Out
Eagles
- G Allen Barbre (hamstring) -- Out
- S Terrence Brooks (hamstring) -- Out
- LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (hamstring) -- Doubtful
- TE Trey Burton (hamstring) -- Questionable
- TE Brent Celek (rib) -- Questionable
- DT Taylor Hart (ankle) -- Questionable
- DT Bennie Logan (groin) -- Questionable
- CB Leodis McKelvin (hamstring) -- Questionable
Prisco's Pick
The Eagles have lost two consecutive games, but they were on the road. Getting back home will help, but it will be tough to shut down that Atlanta offense. Matt Ryan comes to his hometown and pulls out a victory.
Pick: Falcons 30, Eagles 28
