Opening Night: Falcons @ Eagles (-4.5). O/U 47
Grab 47 if it's still there and get ready for a long season of risk management. I believe this play is a 2/10 confidence play. The rationale is that the variables are too high in this matchup and let's face it, you are likely only going to play this because it is a standalone game and we are at this point football starved.
That being said, it is a game, and we will bet on it, so let's go over these teams, what has changed, and how we can take advantage of our current June calendar position.
Eagles:
QB Carson Wentz makes his return and will likely remind people at some point in this season why he is our generation's best QB. Nuff said.
But the story of the Eagles is really not all on Wentz (surprise surprise, they won it all WITHOUT HIM).
The Eagles are so deep they rival the Mariana Trench. Every position group save for Linebackers are filled with stars, quality starters, and capable backups.
The Defensive line is so deep that they can bring two separate waves of players with elite skills and Pro Bowl experience. Michael Bennett and Haloti Ngata now join the deepest unit in the NFL, teaming with Fletcher Cox, Timmy "unstoppable quickness" Jernigan, Chris "second wind" Long, Young Gun Derek Barnett and of course, Brandon friggin Graham.
How do you scheme against THAT?
Jordan Hicks disappointed at Linebacker in 2017 before he was lost for the year in Week 7 against the Redskins, but the two years prior showed him to be a borderline Pro Bowl player, especially as a Pass Defender and blitzer. Nigel Bradham played well, but has never particularly lifted my skirt up in my film watching. He is where he's supposed to be and he does his job.
The Depth at Linebacker, in particular, is the only concern I have with this entire team.
Offensive Line is literally PACKED with talent with incredibly capable and experienced backups. Remember, this unit won the Super Bowl without their LT. Jason Peters returns after a stellar 2017 that unfortunately ended with what many believed would be a career ending injury. Some people just got it, folks, and when Jason Peters steps on a field, you simply know you've got one of the best to do it on your side. Regardless of age.
The team is filled out with the fastest off the ball and consequently best Run Blocking Center in the game, Jason Kelce. Also, of course, third best all-around Right Guard in the game Brandon Brooks and Lane "I got a Long" Johnson. Left Guard I believe will be a competition, but the participants are all capable players, including former first rounder Chance Warmack, as well as last year's starter Stefen Wisniewski, and even possibly 2013 Third Round Pick/underperformer Isaac Seumalo (although I hear he could be dealt) but I would suspect whoever wins this will be the weak link of the unit.
One thing to note here is that regardless of which player along the O Line inevitably goes down, the Eagles are working with at least one backup Tackle worth his salt, HV (although he was pretty dreadful in many matchups last year, including the NFC Divisional Playoff against the Falcons), and a plethora of backup interior options.