FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Welcome to prime time.
The Falcons take on their first Monday Night Football game in four years and their first primetime game in two years. And they'll face a tough opponent, too, in the Philadelphia Eagles.
The last time the Falcons won on national TV was in 2020 on a Thursday night. The last one for the Eagles came in Week 1 this season against the Green Bay Packers.
The Eagles have been a playoff contender for the last few seasons, and this year they added a shiny new weapon in Saquon Barkley. Barkley had three touchdowns in Week 1, affording him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Meanwhile, the Falcons look to rebound after an opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Falcons' defense didn't allow a touchdown, but the offense struggled to move the ball, racking up just 226 yards from scrimmage.
Last week, experts leaned toward Atlanta, but after the Falcons' loss and the Eagles' win over the Packers, the picks swing heavily toward Philadelphia.
| Author | Outlet | Pick |
|---|---|
| Kimberly Martin | ESPN | Eagles |
| Lindsey Thiry | ESPN | Eagles |
| Dan Graziano | ESPN | Falcons |
| Ali Bhanpuri | NFL.com | Eagles |
| Brooke Cersosimo | NFL.com | Eagles |
| Michael-Shawn Dugar | The Athletic | Eagles |
| Tashan Reed | The Athletic | Eagles |
| Albert Breer | Sports Illustrated | Eagles |
| Connor Orr | Sports Illustrated | Eagles |
| Pete Prisco | CBS Sports | Eagles |
For more complete picks, visit: ESPN, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic and NFL.com.
Take an overhead look back at the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Pittsburgh Steelers during Week 1, shot on Sony.
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during warm ups before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons take the field during warm ups before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 runs out of the tunnel before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 runs out of the tunnel before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 runs out of the tunnel before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 runs out of the tunnel before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 runs out before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 runs out before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 runs out of the tunnel before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 runs out of the tunnel before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs out before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs out before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 warms up before the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 and the Atlanta Falcons offense before a play during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 stiff-arms a defender during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 passes the ball during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 stiff-arms a defender during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 reacts to a play during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs with the ball during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 kicks a field goal during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 looks to pass the ball during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 before a play during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs with the ball during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs with the ball during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs by a defender during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 passes the ball during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 looks to throw a pass during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 runs with the ball during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs through a tackle during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 holds the ball out after he gets a first down during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 throws a pass during the Week 1 Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 8, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
