Falcons at Eagles: 3 key matchups
New acquisition Dunta Robinson with a defensive play against receiver Troy Bergeron. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
Three key matchups
Falcons CB Dunta Robinson vs. Eagles WR DeSean Jackson: Robinson has been strong in run support, but receivers have gotten open deep. Last week, Joshua Cribbs was open deep, but Jake Delhomme overthrew him. Jackson has just five catches for 43 yards over the last two games. However, he had 135 and 153 yards receiving in each game that Michael Vick started at quarterback. “I’m just not really having the opportunity to make these huge plays like I’ve been doing,” Jackson said.
Falcons MLB Curtis Lofton vs. Eagles RB LeSean McCoy: The Eagles rank first in the NFL in yards per carry with 5.3, thanks in part to Vick’s scrambles. McCoy has five rushing touchdowns, which is second in the league. The Eagles average 130.4 rushing yards per game. Lofton and the Falcons are swarming to the ball on defense and held Cleveland to 40 yards rushing last week.
Falcons LT Sam Baker vs. Eagles DE Trent Cole: Baker appears to have settled down after a bumpy start to the season. He’s facing another major challenge in Trent Cole, whose 45 sacks since 2006 rank third in the NFL behind Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware and Minnesota’s Jared Allen. Cole was part of the Eagles’ unit that held the Falcons scoreless until the final play of the game last season.
History lesson
- This is the 26th regular-season meeting.
- The Eagles lead the series 14-10-1.
- The Eagles routed the Falcons 34-7 last season.
- The two teams met in the NFC title game after the 2004 season with the Eagles prevailing 27-10 and advancing to the Super Bowl.
- The Eagles have won the last three games and five of the last six.
- The Eagles are 7-1 against the Falcons under coach Andy Reid.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
31 comments Add your comment
harrison
October 16th, 2010
10:41 pm
Go Falcons!!
Whopper Dawg
October 16th, 2010
11:03 pm
Big, big game, win this one and you have Cinncy and the Bucs at home and should be 7 -1 before the Ravens come calling on a Thursday night.
Plus the schedule sets up great the rest of year with the tough games at home, Packers and Saints. I may be drinking Kool Aid, but 12 – 4 does not seem out of the question.
No thanks to Peria Jerry who has two tackles, one assist and no sacks in three years, and to think Clay Matthews was drafted two choices after this bum.
Whopper Dawg
October 16th, 2010
11:03 pm
Sorry, two years for Mr, Jerry, bad enough still.
BigLou
October 16th, 2010
11:18 pm
If the offense of Atlanta, AKA the sleeping giant, finally wakes up with our pounding defense… There might be a blow out. Which would be nice revenge. GO FALCONS!
kdog
October 16th, 2010
11:24 pm
Wrong, jerry did miss all last year with injury. So this is really his first. Usually takes about a year to fully regain a high level of performance. He’ll be fine.
Tweets that mention Falcons at Eagles: 3 key matchups | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
October 16th, 2010
11:25 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sara, Reneau, Andrew J Stone, D. Orlando Ledbetter, ATLHOMER and others. ATLHOMER said: Atlanta Falcons – RT Falcons at Eagles: 3 key matchups: New acquisition Dunta Robinson with a defensive play … http://bit.ly/dvea9i #AJC [...]
SawThat1nce
October 17th, 2010
2:16 am
BigLou….”the offense of Atlanta, AKA the sleeping giant,”, that’s pretty good.
I would really like to see the offense wake up, and deliver a stomp-down on the Eagles tomorrow.
Paddy O
October 17th, 2010
2:27 am
the key is the # of sacks – we need a giant type game as they had against the bears.
mountain_jim
October 17th, 2010
8:46 am
Robinson sure has looked overpayed so far. Today we see whether he was worth Blank’s many millions or not.
Go Falcons! I am tired of being beatdown by Philly – Rise Up and Pay Back!
Falcon Jim
October 17th, 2010
9:12 am
T – minus – three hours and counting.
tick…..tick…..tick….BOOM ! ! ! !
GO FALCONS ! ! BIG GAME ! ! ! !
Falcon Jim
October 17th, 2010
9:15 am
Big D…………shutdown
Rushing…………down their throats
M Ryan………..play tight
ST…………..solid
= WIN
Sid
October 17th, 2010
9:18 am
Whooper Dog……………..Jamaal has 3 sacks since 07′…….oh, wait, he had a half sack last year. I’m not picking on Jamaal though, he has really elevated his play. But I wouldn’t pick on Jerry, are you even aware he didn’t play last year. Let’s let the dude get a year under his belt, this ain’t Razorback football.
mountain_jim…………but really, are they throwing that many balls Robinson’s way?
SawThat1nce
October 17th, 2010
9:19 am
The Eagle’ defense is 24th in the NFL against the run.
Their Oline has allowed 19 sacks, tied for 2nd most in the NFL.
Sid
October 17th, 2010
9:19 am
Let’s see if the Eagles want to scrap a little at midfield before the game………..lol………!!!
Sid
October 17th, 2010
9:28 am
Yeah Saw, they’re also 8th in pass defense……………..glad to see Jenkins give us some more options. Also, Abraham is listed as questionable…………..D’ Led, any update on John?
Sid
October 17th, 2010
9:30 am
………………….I’m putting my money on Tampa to beat NO…………….
The Real Falcon
October 17th, 2010
9:43 am
Sid is right about Robinson. We lead the league in interceptions for a reason. He has provided the coverage to force passes to the other side. That coverage has also allowed the DL to pressure the QB. This is called team defense. Not stat defense.
SawThat1nce
October 17th, 2010
9:47 am
Eagles defense is 24th against the run, in the NFL.
Eagles Oline has allowed 19 sacks, tied for 2nd most, in the NFL.
GO FALCONS!!
RISE AND SHINE!!
mountain_jim
October 17th, 2010
10:00 am
Robinson has been giving a huge underneath for first downs and has been beat deep more than once but lucky the throws were off. Like I said, I expect to learn more about his abilities and ball skills at CB today.
atlppal
October 17th, 2010
10:04 am
THe Saints will hit their stride today. And, when their regulars return from the injury list, its on like it was last year. The Eagles will trump the DIRTY BIRDS who really should be 1-4 had they not had lucky breaks…..Falcons wings will be clipped starting today!!!
atlppal
October 17th, 2010
10:10 am
After today, Tampa 3-2, Falcons 4-2, Saints 4-2.
atlppal
October 17th, 2010
10:27 am
Mattie Ice melts TODAY!!!!!!!!!
jan
October 17th, 2010
10:34 am
This is a must game for the Falcons. If they do not win this game against a decent team on the road, this will just be another so-so year for them (9wins, maybe)! Have been expecting more from them on offense. The Browns and 49ers games did not impress me.
Bill
October 17th, 2010
10:40 am
I’m in Philly, going to the game, my first road trip. Go Falcons! Rock the Eagles!
wcj
October 17th, 2010
10:43 am
atlppal, you really think the falcons are that bad? All good teams are lucky at some point. Teams who have won the NFL championship have been lucky. Falcons win and make a statement. What are you, a saints fan or what?
atlppal
October 17th, 2010
10:46 am
YOU GOT IT WCJ!!! LOL
SawThat1nce
October 17th, 2010
12:04 pm
Pathetic saints fans.
SawThat1nce
October 17th, 2010
12:07 pm
This is not a must win game for the Falcons.
The Falcons by 14 points.
GO FALCONS!
whinwwithchezz
October 17th, 2010
12:30 pm
Saints would not have even been close in the game if not for a “lucky” break of the ball hitting Decoooo. Present tense.. Falcons over the Eagles by 7.
Falcon Jim
October 17th, 2010
12:57 pm
atlppal = SeenB4 ?
Fantasy Football, Week 6: Desean Jackson Out With Head Injury – SB Nation | Fantasy Football Draft
October 17th, 2010
2:29 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]