Falcons vs. Eagles: Blogging Dirty’s Staff Predictions

September 18, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes to tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons beat the Eagles 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Here are Blogging Dirty’s Staff Predictions on the game this afternoon between the Falcons and the Eagles:

Cam Adamczyk-The biggest difference in this game will be the running of Vick and McCoy against the Falcon’s struggling run defense. If we can keep the Eagles’ running attack to under 200 yards total, we should cruise. While both teams are coming off bye weeks, I don’t think we should see any rust. I truly hope we see the Falcons click on all cylinders, but that is unlikely. Regardless, I like the Falcons in this game because I think Julio Jones and Roddy White will run the secondary.

Falcons-24, Eagles-21

Andrew Mciver– I expect to see the eagles use a lot more blitz packages. I expect them to come hard with the run. I see our defense making turnovers, I see Julio getting some shots down field.

Falcons-28, Eagles-24

Deric Steel– I’m optimistic about the Falcon’s chances of coming away with the win this game. Both teams are coming off the bye, meaning that the players should be fresh, reinvigorated and ready to get onto that field. This is Matt Ryan’s big chance to step up and let everyone know he has the consistency to keep playing at this level and to silence the critics. Meanwhile, you have Michael Vick who has the potential to be destructive against the Atlanta defense, which the Falcons will have to keep quiet if they want to improve those statistics. The only remedy to this is to force him into those turnovers thatIi’m positive Eagles will struggle to contain. LeSean McCoy is another threat, he’ll look to panic the Atlanta rush defense who have given away their own fair share of yards already this season. Falcons will be relying on Matty Ice and Roddy White to have shown up today. If they do, and they will, I reckon we could be looking at a very typical game for the Falcons.

Falcons-24, Eagles-21.

Greg Huseth– I want to say that the Falcons are going to be able to throw the ball all over the place against an Eagles defense that has been struggling to get to the quarterback, and really utilize Tony Gonzalez controlling the middle of the field. I want Matt Ryan to have a massive day. I just don’t think that’s going to happen. The Falcons are going to keep the ball on the ground most of the day due to 30 MPH winds and rain throughout the day. I wouldn’t expect the Falcons to throw it much more than is absolutely necessary. And since both teams aren’t going to be throwing too much, Mike Vick won’t have too many opportunities for turnovers, and they have the potential for better running game than the Falcons do at this point. All of that being said:

Eagles-27, Falcons-24.