Philly Leader

The stage is set for a prime-time event at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday night as the Philadelphia Eagles have their 2024 home stadium opener. The Atlanta Falcons are in town following their Week 1 loss to Pittsburgh, while the Eagles begin the first of three consecutive games against NFC South opponents.

Philadelphia boasts a 7-0 record in September since the 2022 season, and a win here would be significant with upcoming road games at New Orleans and Tampa Bay. Adding to the excitement, Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles will serve as the Honorary Captain, and fans will welcome running back Saquon Barkley for the first time.

Key considerations for the Monday Night Football audience include:

**Absence of Wide Receiver A.J. Brown:** Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore faces a challenge with wide receiver A.J. Brown out due to a hamstring injury. This absence necessitates adjustments in personnel packages, play calls, and strategies against Atlanta's defense. "Brown's absence likely changes the way the Falcons had planned to play in the secondary," an insider commented.

**Saquon Barkley's Second Act:** Following his impressive debut game in Brazil, all eyes will be on how Moore deploys Barkley this week. Questions arise about his involvement as a pass catcher and whether he will get over 20 carries. "This is such a chess match," remarked an analyst, noting that Atlanta’s defense will likely focus heavily on Barkley.

**Vic Fangio's Defensive Strategy:** The Eagles' defense aims to build on its performance against Green Bay, where it held the Packers to two early field goals and clinched victory on the final drive. Fangio noted some mistakes that led to big plays for Green Bay and seeks improvement against Kirk Cousins and Bijan Robinson.

**Turnover Battle:** Head Coach Nick Sirianni emphasized ball security after being -2 in turnovers last week but still winning. "That statistic is unsustainable," Sirianni stated, reiterating his consistent message on ball security.

**Linebacker Zack Baun's Role:** After recording 15 tackles and two sacks against Green Bay, expectations are high for linebacker Zack Baun. Analysts expect him to face various challenges from Atlanta’s offense throughout the game.

**Maintaining High Energy Levels:** With a long layoff since Week 1, maintaining high energy levels will be crucial for Philadelphia. Atlanta comes into this game desperate after their opening-week loss, making them dangerous opponents. The Eagles aim to match fan energy at Lincoln Financial Field by starting fast and finishing strong.

The game promises to be challenging without Brown and against an Atlanta team equipped with offensive weapons like Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, as well as defensive stalwarts Grady Jarrett, Matthew Judon, and Justin Simmons.