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Fansided

Falcons at Eagles stream, keys, predictions, odds, and more

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 13: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles hugs Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons after the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons with a score of 15 to 10. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 13: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles hugs Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons after the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons with a score of 15 to 10. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 16: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass in the first half against the New England Patriots during the preseason game at Gillette Stadium on August 16, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 16: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass in the first half against the New England Patriots during the preseason game at Gillette Stadium on August 16, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

Keys to the Game

Philadelphia: Keep it Simple

Philadelphia modified its offense after losing Carson Wentz to better suit Nick Foles down the stretch. The term RPO became a hot phrase around the NFL and Philadelphia will continue to use the run-pass option to their advantage.

Unfortunately, every NFL team had a chance to break down Philadelphia’s final six games and pick up the quirks of their offense. Doug Pederson has proved to be a masterful playcaller in his first two years in the NFL and throughout the playoffs. He knows what works for Foles and what doesn’t leading to one of the best offenses in the NFL.

Atlanta: Slow down Zach Ertz

Atlanta’s main focus should be slowing down the Eagles best receiver on Thursday night, tight end Zach Ertz. After Wentz went down in Los Angeles last year Ertz was targeted 47 times in six games. Despite missing two games he finished fourth in targets among tight ends and was second behind Travis Kelce with 7.9 targets per game, per FantasyPros.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles dives into the endzone for a 11-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles dives into the endzone for a 11-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Ertz proved in the Super Bowl he’s Foles’ security blanket with seven catches and a touchdown. He’s a big-bodied receiver who blossomed into a Pro Bowler last year with a career-high eight touchdowns.

Luckily for Atlanta, they won’t have to deal with Alshon Jeffery and Mack Hollins, both 6’3 or bigger who work as fantastic red zone targets. The focus now turns to Ertz, who caught all eight of his touchdowns in the red zone last year.

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