The final game of Week 2 in the NFL‘s 2024 season sees the Philadelphia Eagles host the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field fresh from their Brazilian adventure against the Green Bay Packers.
Our X’s and O’s expert Andrew Cunneen has ground the tape, worked through the gameplans and drawn up some trickeration as he tries to find the winning edge with his Bet Builder on this NFC clash…
NFL Monday Night Bet Builder
Handicap: Eagles -5.5
Total Point: Under 45.5
Over 39.5 Rushing Yards: Jalen Hurts
Under 67.5 Rushing Yards: Bijan Robinson
Over 72.5 Receiving Yards: DeVonta Smith
A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 19/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Handicap: Eagles -5.5
You’re at home in the Linc. You caught fire on opening week against a lot of people’s idea of a Super Bowl dark horse. You have a running back who can see lanes for the first time in forever.
Kirk Cousins is not driving the ball successfully because he’s clearly afraid of reinjury. Drake London has built up no synergy with this scheme. Kyle Pitts, touchdown in hand, remains a meme.
The Falcons need to play a soft team to get their confidence up. This is your absolute worst nightmare if you’re not in full flow, so take the Eagles to capitalise a mentally-soft Falcons unit.
Total Point: Under 45.5
Both of these teams will want to run the ball, but it’s just playing into the hands of their opponent’s defensive strength.
The Eagles and Falcons can boast much better internal run-stuff than they can pass-rush. When you consider that Grady Jarrett has long-been one of the most underrated players in the league, and Jalen Carter is an animal, any logical coordinator would look to pass.
But both of these teams will rely on a marque runner to make this an easier path to victory – only for it to chew clock and result in multiple punts after third-and-longs.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 14: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Over 39.5 Rushing Yards: Jalen Hurts
The Falcons do boast two very good outside corners, and given how quickly the Eagles like routes to develop, Jalen is most likely going to take off when he can. AJ Terrell will do a fine job on AJ Brown, and Mike Hughes will protect the other boundary.
So while they’re busy in man coverage, it opens up a lane for Hurts to take on the likes Kaden Eliss and Troy Anderson. And well, I wish them luck.
Under 67.5 Rushing Yards: Bijan Robinson
Similar to what I outline above – you really don’t want to find yourself in a position to be running into a pairing of Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter.
But you also have to factor in the game script. If you believe Philly will run away with this, and I really do, then they’re not going to be handing the ball off to Bijan regardless.
He’s going get his flowers in the passing game no doubt, but honing in on his lack of productivity in the rushing attack is the way to go about winning a Bijan prop in week two at Philadelphia.
Over 72.5 Receiving Yards: DeVonta Smith
While Mike Hughes and AJ Terell might be excellent options to take away key players, the nickel corner on Atlanta is Dee Alford, and that’s not quite the promising matchup you’d be hoping for inside.
When you consider Kellen Moore is one of the best in the league at scheming slot receivers open, as well as the fact that Smith is the prototype for the position, I fully expect him to benefit from both straight-up slot alignment and from play-action because of the added fear that comes with lining out Saquon Barkley.
Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles Bet Builder
Handicap: Eagles -5.5
Total Point: Under 45.5
Over 39.5 Rushing Yards: Jalen Hurts
Under 67.5 Rushing Yards: Bijan Robinson
Over 72.5 Receiving Yards: DeVonta Smith
A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 19/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All odds and lines quoted are accurate at time of publication but are subject to change
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