Falcons present tough test for champion Eagles

The last time the Eagles opened a season as NFL champions, it was 1960 and, well, who remembers what folks did then in Philadelphia?

What they’ll certainly do tonight at the Linc when the Falcons come to town is roar with approval at the site of the Lombardi Trophy and the championship banner. Fans will sing many, many choruses of “Fly Eagles Fly.”

And then the guys on the field will get down to business, defending the title they took away from New England last February.

That defense will be difficult, particularly in the NFC, a stronger conference than the AFC.

“Quite honestly, it’s going to be a great night from that standpoint,” coach Doug Pederson says of the season opener. “The fans that are in attendance are going to be crazy and they’re going to be excited. It’s going to be great for the banner to be dropped in Lincoln Financial (Field). It’s going to be a great atmosphere.

“I think with this football team, though, they understand this is a different season, it’s a new team, new year. We’re sitting here 0-0 with a great opportunity against a great opponent—a playoff/Super Bowl-caliber team coming in here. Quite honestly, that’s their focus.”

It had better be, because the Falcons barely lost in Philly in the divisional round last winter, and they’ve upgraded on both sides of the ball. Atlanta, No. 8 in the AP Pro32, comes in as a 2½-point underdog to top-ranked Philadelphia.

Pro Picks goes out on limb early. UPSET FALCONS, SPECIAL: 22-20 KNOCKOUT POOL We didn’t stick around for too long last year, so consider that when we choose the SAINTS to win this weekend. No. 15 San Francisco (plus 6) at No. 3 Minnesota

Jimmy Garoppolo is undefeated as a starting quarterback. Streak ends Sunday.

BEST BET: VIKINGS, 27-16 No. 5 Pittsburgh (minus 5 1-2) at No. 31 Cleveland

The Browns are defeated in 17 straight. That streak continues, even if Le’Veon Bell is a no-show.

STEELERS, 23-20 No. 29 Tampa Bay (plus 9 1-2) at No. 6 New Orleans

Almost went with this

a as BEST BET. Saints have Super Bowl-level talent.

SAINTS, 33-16

No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (minus 5) at No. 21 Oakland, Monday night

The return of Jon Gruden to the Black Hole. Raiders could struggle after Chucky traded his best player.

RAMS, 27-25 No. 28 Chicago (plus 7 1-2) at No. 9 Green Bay

Khalil Mack surfaces in Chicago. More significant: Aaron Rodgers is back at QB for Packers.

PACKERS 27-13 No. 13 Kansas City (plus 3) at No. 10 Los Angeles Chargers

Lots of people like the Chargers in the AFC West. So do we.

CHARGERS, 21-13 No. 12 Houston (plus 6 1-2) at No. 2 New England

If healthy, the Texans could be ready for special

season. But they rarely play well in Foxborough.

PATRIOTS, 30-20

No. 26 Buffalo (plus 7) at No. 14 Baltimore

Sean McDermott didn’t want inexperienced Josh Allen at QB against this defense. Smart man.

RAVENS, 18-7 No. 24 (tie) Cincinnati (plus 3) at No. 30 Indianapolis

Andrew Luck returns at last. He doesn’t have much surrounding him.

BENGALS, 22-14 No. 7 Jacksonville (minus 3) at No. 20 New York Giants

How satisfying will this win be for Tom Coughlin?

JAGUARS, 20-19 No. 17 Tennessee (minus 1) at No. 27 Miami

Not feeling good vibes about the Titans right now.

DOLPHINS, 21-20

No. 16 Dallas (plus 2 1-2) at No. 11 Carolina

about Not feeling the Cowboys good vibes right now.

PANTHERS, 30-24 No. 22 Washington (pickem) at No. 24 (tie) Arizona

Two of the NFL’s most mysterious teams this year. Go with the hosts.

CARDINALS, 24-20 No. 18 Seattle (plus 3) at No. 23 Denver

Two more of the NFL’s most mysterious teams. Go with the … you get the drill.

BRONCOS, 20-13 No. 32 New York Jets (plus 6 1-2) at No. 19 Detroit, Monday night

Sam Darnold’s debut gives this game some intrigue. So does Matt Patricia’s as Lions coach.

LIONS, 23-19