What To Look For In Eagles/Falcons
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Eagles have lost four of their last five games and they will look to get back on track on Sunday when they host the leaders of the NFC South, the Atlanta Falcons.
The Eagles are coming off that 28-23 road loss to the New York Giants last time out, a loss which dropped them to 0-3 in the NFC East. The Birds are actually alone in last place in the division heading into Sunday's game.
Atlanta is 6-3 and they are dynamic on offense. The Falcons average an NFL-leading 33.9 points per game thanks in large part to their quarterback, Penn Charter product Matt Ryan, and wide receiver Julio Jones. Through nine games, Ryan has completed 69.6% of his passes this season for 2,980 yards and 23 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Jones is his favorite target. The veteran has 51 catches and leads the NFL with 970 yards. Five of his catches have gone for touchdowns.
The Eagles will be missing guard Allen Barbre (hamstring) and safety Terrence Brooks (hamstring) on Sunday. Five players, including tight end Brent Celek (rib), defensive tackle Bennie Logan (groin) and cornerback Leodis McKelvin (hamstring) are listed as questionable.
Atlanta will be missing three key pieces on Sunday because of injury as running back Tevin Coleman, tight end Jacob Tamme and cornerback Marcus Trufant have all been ruled out.
The Eagles and the Falcons met in Week #1 last season down in Atlanta with the Eagles losing, 26-23. Hard for the Eagles to take too much from that one however, seeing as how Chip Kelly was the coach, Sam Bradford the quarterback and DeMarco Murray the lead running back.
KYW's Matt Leon's spoke to Brandon Lee Gowton of Philadelphia Magazine's "Birds 24/7" and BGN Radio about the Eagles at the halfway point of the season and Sunday's game with the Falcons.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @Mattleonkyw.
