Divisional previews: Sizing up Falcons-Eagles, Titans-Patriots, Jaguars-Steelers, Saints-Vikings.
SATURDAY, 4:35 P.M. ET, LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD, PHILADELPHIA ❚ TV: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
About the Falcons: Despite entering the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, the defending NFC champions are now in a position to make another Super Bowl run. While the offense was unspectacular in beating the Rams in the wild-card round, QB Matt
Ryan went 5-for-5 for 85 yards in a fourthquarter drive capped by a touchdown pass to WR Julio Jones. And the defense displayed speed, sure tackling and fortitude.
About the Eagles: Despite playing at home and coming off a bye, Philadelphia began the week as an underdog for its playoff opener, a product of the knee injury that sidelined QB Carson Wentz. That leaves the offense in the hands of backup Nick
Foles, who’s been up and down in his threeplus games under center. The Eagles’ playoff fate could be in the hands of a defense that’s been stout but had some lapses.
Matchup to watch: Falcons C Alex Mack and Gs Wes Schweitzer and Ben Garland vs. Eagles DTs Fletcher Cox and Tim Jernigan. Ryan struggled because Rams DT Aaron Donald consistently collapsed the pocket on him. This week, Mack and his mates face perhaps the league’s best pair of DTs. Cox has the speed and agility to slip past double-teams and the strength to overpower blockers one on one. Player to watch: Eagles RB Jay Ajayi. Philly has been succeeding with a backfield that also includes powerful LeGarrette Blount and shifty rookie Corey Clement. But Ajayi is an explosive runner with fresh legs. Number crunching: .683. Ryan’s record as a starter in playoff games might be 4-5, but he’s No. 1 among players with more than 150 postseason passing attempts with a 68.3 completion percentage.
Keys to the game
1. A leg up: Falcons K Matt Bryant is 42, but the veteran led all NFL kickers with eight field goals of 50 or more yards during the regular season and bailed out a lackluster Atlanta offense last week with four field goals, including 51- and 54-yarders.
2. Hot Julio: Only Antonio Brown finished the season with more receiving yards than Jones, providing a tempting target for Ryan against a Philadelphia secondary that has 19 interceptions (tied for fourth in the league) but has given up its share of plays, too. CBs Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby will try to help. 3. Top blockers: Despite losing its biggest star, LT Jason Peters, in Week 7, the Eagles’ offensive line has been stellar. Three Philly blockers earned Pro Bowl berths — RT Lane Johnson, C Jason Kelce and RG Brandon Brooks.
4. Time to shine: Foles spent the bye week studying film of his sensational 2013 season, when he threw 27 TD passes and two interceptions. The Eagles would settle for him being solid and steady and not making mistakes.