Defending champs focus on new season
Eagles take on Falcons in NFL season opener
The last time the Philadelphia Eagles opened a season as NFL champions, it was 1960.
On Thursday night at the Linc, the Falcons come to town and the fans will roar with approval at the sight of the Lombardi Trophy and 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 defence 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. “I think with this football team, though, they understand this is a different season, it’s a new team, new year ... 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 comes in as a 2½-point underdog.
Upset Special: Falcons, 22-20
SAN FRANCISCO (+6) AT MINNESOTA Jimmy Garoppolo is undefeated as a starting quarterback. Streak ends. Best Bet: Vikings, 27-16
PITTSBURGH (-5½) AT CLEVELAND
The Browns are defeated in 17 straight. That streak continues, even if Le’Veon Bell is a no-show.
Steelers, 23-20
TAMPA BAY (+9½) AT NEW ORLEANS Almost went with this as Best Bet. Saints have Super Bowl-level talent.
Saints, 33-16
LOS ANGELES RAMS (-5) AT OAKLAND, MONDAY NIGHT The return of Jon Gruden to the Black Hole. Raiders could struggle after Chucky traded his best player.
Rams, 27-25 CHICAGO (+7½) AT GREEN BAY Khalil Mack surfaces in Chicago. More significant: Aaron Rodgers is back at QB for Packers.
Packers, 27-13
KANSAS CITY (+3) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS Lots of people like the Chargers in the AFC West. So do we.
Chargers, 21-13
HOUSTON (+6½) AT NEW ENGLAND
If healthy, the Texans could be ready for a special season. But they rarely play well in Foxborough. Patriots, 30-20
BUFFALO (+7) AT BALTIMORE Sean McDermott didn’t want inexperienced Josh Allen at QB against this defence. Smart man.
Ravens, 18-7
CINCINNATI (+3) AT INDIANAPOLIS Andrew Luck returns at last. He doesn’t have much surrounding him.
Bengals, 22-14
JACKSONVILLE (-3) AT NEW YORK GIANTS How satisfying will this win be for Tom Coughlin? Jaguars, 20-19
TENNESSEE (-1) AT MIAMI Not feeling good vibes about the Titans right now. Dolphins, 21-20
DALLAS (+2½) AT CAROLINA Not feeling good vibes about the Cowboys right now. Panthers, 30-24
WASHINGTON (PICK-EM) AT ARIZONA
Two of the NFL’s most mysterious teams this year. Go with the hosts. Cardinals, 24-20
SEATTLE (+3) AT DENVER Two more of the NFL’s most mysterious teams. Go with the ... you get the drill. Broncos, 20-13
NEW YORK JETS (+6½) AT DETROIT, MONDAY NIGHT Sam Darnold’s debut gives this game some intrigue. So does Matt Patricia’s as Lions coach.
Lions, 23-19