Michael Vick makes his first return to Atlanta as a starter as the Eagles look to go 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2004, and just the second time in Andy Reid’s tenure. The Falcons look to avoid starting the year 0-2. This is an early season game with potential playoff seeding implications. Here’s how we see it:
| EAGLES | POSITION | FALCONS | ANALYSIS |
| Michael Vick makes his return to Atlanta for the first time as a starter since being released upon his conviction of dog fighting. In his first return as McNabb’s back-up in 2009, Vick got into the game and threw for and rushed for a touchdown. He’s resurrected his career, but his 44 percent completion percentage from a week ago is a concern. | Quarterback | The Falcons found a franchise pocket passer in Matt Ryan. The guy enters his fourth season and has shown the ability to stand in there and find his receivers down the field. His nearly two-to-one TD-to-Interception ratio is solid. With an ability to sling the ball for 300-plus yards when needed, he will challenge defenses down the field. | Both are pro Bowl, franchise signal callers. Both go about it in different ways. Either guy can take over the game, although Vick has the edge as a scrambler out of the pocket, while Ryan is the more accurate passer. Just look at the completion percentages from a week asgo: Vick at 44% in a win; Ryan with 66% in a loss. PUSH |
| LeSean “Shady” McCoy opened the 2011 season with a hallmark Shady game. He piled up the states in the fourth quarter to protect a lead, while punishing and wearing down the defense. His 15 carry, 122 yard day was impressive in the end. He’s still a receiving weapon as well, although his two receptions were down significantly from his 2010 averages. | Running Back | Michael :The Burner” Turner is still gassing opposing defenses. In a big loss to Chicago last week that saw Atlanta abandon the running game, Turner still gained 100 yards on 10 carries, including a 53-yarder. | Again, both guys are Pro Bowl talents. McCoy usually makes the numbers count in the end. Turner, meanwhile, does it from beginning to end as the Falcons tend to commit to the run game earlier than later. Remember what Stephen Jackson did in his only healthy carry last week, and Turner is licking his chops. Slight edge to ATLANTA |
| DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Steve Smith and Jason Avant were held to just 10 catches, six of which were recorded by Jackson., in last week’s win. Granted these guys barely played in the preseason and you have to think they’ll gel and get sharper. Brent Celek caught just one ball, not the way he wanted to start after a down 2010. | Wide Receiver/TE | Roddy White is a stud and Tony Gonzalez is still among the best professional tight ends in football. Rookie Julio Jones flashed potential as he had five catches for 71 yards against the Bears. | Gonzo is getting older and Jones is a rookie. The Eagles just have more experience, youth and speed. EAGLES |
| Young, inexperienced and journeymen. That’s the label stuck on this line until proven otherwise. They played better as a unit as the game went on last week. Jason Peters and Todd Herremans are solid bookends. But, we need to see how this line gels. | Offensive Line | The Falcons o-line is a bit more established and can block. But, they did give up five sacks a week ago, including two to stud Julius Peppers. So, there are some holes to fill. | PUSH |
| Jason Babin racked up two sacks a week ago, while Trent Cole, Darryl Tapp and Cullen Jenkins each added one. This line has the makings of a great one. | Defensive Line | Twelfth year pro John Abraham notched two of the Falcons four sacks from week 1. Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Kim Zolciak’s baby’s daddy Kroy Biermann also had a sack, and the team’s lone interception last week. This unit can get to the passer. | Jim Washburn’s rotation has been as good as advertised. If Cole, Jenkins, Babin and Co. get to Ryan often, it’ll be a long day for the falcons offense. Beyond Abraham, we don’t see much in Atlanta. EAGLES |
| New week, new season. Same story. Young and inexperienced. Jamr Chaney has shown flashes of being solid, but this unit must defend the tight end consistently. | Linebackers | Former Eagle Sean Witherspoon racked up 10 tackles last week. This team’s unit gets to the play and takes people down. | Based on experience: FALCONS |
| Nnamdi and Asante. Enough said. | Secondary | We all know who Dunta Robinson is and the fact that the guy will put a lick on receivers. Philly native Brent Grimes is opposite Robinson. The Northeast High grad has 11 picks over the last two seasons. They’ll have their hands full on Sunday. | EAGLES |
| Alex Hennery an Chas Henry are both rookies. Growing pains are expected. Could they be this weekend? DeSean Jackson is as dangerous as they get in the return game. | Special Teams | Matt Bryant is a solid kicker, while punter Matt Bosher is a rookie. Eric Weems returns punts and kicks for this unit. | Bryant is the only veteran kicker of the lot. Jackson can be a difference maker if the team kicks to him. Still, in a last-second game, we’ll give the nod to Bryant. FALCONS |
PREDICTION: Falcons 23, Eagles 20. This game will be close and both offenses will have big plays. In the end, we see this coming down to the final two minutes and the Falcons pulling it out behind an experienced kicker and the fact that they are at home. The game means more to Atlanta right now. Should the Eagles pull this one out, they have a legit shot at starting 6-0. Let’s see how this week plays out first.
