Eagles vs. Falcons predictions: Roundup from ESPN, CBS Sports and Sports … – NJ.com

They will never admit it themselves, but fair or not, the expectations on this 2015 Eagles team has become very clear over the past few weeks. 

Super Bowl or bust. 

That might be hard to believe for a team that is in it’s infancy, the first group put together by head coach Chip Kelly now that he has final control over personnel. 

The Eagles’ quest towards making it towards Super Bowl 50 begins Monday night in Atlanta with their Week 1 game against the Falcons, and the result could give fans and experts a very early answer on if the hype surrounding this team is warranted. 

Why?

Of the past 49 Super Bowl champions, 40 have won their opening game, a stat that shows the good teams — the ones that are ready to make serious noise in the upcoming season — win in Week 1. 

So will the Eagles get it done?

Here is a collection of predictions from around the web. 

NJ.com:

Eckel: The Eagles, as they often do, will jump out early. But Matt Ryan, a different quarterback in the Dome than he is on the road, will bring the Falcons back to take a fourth-quarter lead. Then Sam Bradford in his Eagles’ debut brings his team back and connects with rookie wide receiver Nelson Agholor for the winning touchdown. Eagles 28, Falcons 27

Lombardo: Much like Chip Kelly’s first opening day against the Washington Redskins in 2013, there is plenty of intrigue around the Eagles and Falcons Monday night opener. Monday represents the grand unsheathing of the Eagles offense with Chip Kelly’s handpicked quarterback, running back and  a revamped offensive line powering the offense. The Eagles ride that offense to a 34-27 shootout victory. 

Shorr-Parks: For all of the excitement about the debut of Sam Bradford, the high-paced Eagles’ offense and the troubling connection of Matt Ryan to Julio Jones, this game comes down to two things for the Eagles — the offensive and defensive line. The Eagles should have a big advantage at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, which will be the difference in the game.

Bradford will have time to throw. Ryan won’t. Eagles 41, Falcons 24

ESPN:

Of the 13 experts polled, 10 picked the Eagles, including Mike Ditka, Chris Carer, Mike Golic and Ron Jaworski. 

Sports Illustrated: (pick by Don Banks)

I like where Falcons rookie coach Dan Quinn has his team headed over the long haul. But in the short term, the Eagles and Chip Kelly look ready to make some serious noise in the NFC, and I have them slotted as my projected top seed in the conference. Sam Bradford had some miserable prime time experiences in St. Louis, but the ex-Rams quarterback will thoroughly enjoy his Monday night in the Georgia Dome, and his gaudy stat line will be the story of the game.

CBS Sports: 

Seven of the eight experts polled picked the Eagles.

NFL.com: (via Elliot Harrison) 

I, too, feel the Eagles will win, using the run game heavily in the first half while building a double-digit lead. Chip Kelly will have Sam Bradford take vertical shots once the game slows down, which actually might get Atlanta back into the contest. Matt Ryan’s Falcons offense is more than capable of capitalizing off takeaways — if Bradford forces a few throws — but if Julio Jones gets blanketed, Tevin Coleman must provide balance. Defensively, the Falcons’ pass rush will be the difference between winning and losing. Atlanta can ill afford to let Jason Peters pitch a shutout at left tackle.

Who do you think will win?

THE NO-HUDDLE SHOW, Ep. 6: Eagles 2015 season preview and predictions

As the Eagles get set to kick off the 2015 season in Atlanta, we make our predictions for the year. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.

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