Eagles vs Falcons: Inactives, Keys to the Game and Pick

The Eagles will be pretty healthy when they head to Atlanta to face the Falcons in their season opener on Monday Night Football.  The Eagles and Falcons will square off for the first time since 2012 and have met 31 times in the series, including playoffs, with Philadelphia holding a 17-13-1 advantage.

Overall, Philadelphia has won each of their last six road openers, including Monday-night matchups in each of the last two seasons.

(Listen on 97.3 ESPN, coverage starts at 6pm, Kick-off at 7pm)

The Eagles have won each of their last four regular season openers and have scored 30 or more points in three of the four victories.

The Eagles listed TE Zach Ertz (groin) and OLB Marcus Smith (hamstring) as questionable for Monday night's opener. Overall, the Eagles find themselves as one of the healthiest teams in the league as they enter the the season.

On the Falcons injury front, RB Devonta Freeman (hamstring), WR Roddy White (elbow) are probable, Devin Hester (toe) has been ruled out for Week 1.

Sal Pal's 3 Keys to the Game:

Eagles' inactives: LB Marcus Smith, T Dennis Kelly, G Josh Andrews, DE Brandon Bair, QB Stephen Morris, RB Kenjon Barner, DB Denzel Rice

Falcons’ inactives: WR Devin Hester, LB Brooks Reed, WR Justin Hardy, CB Dez Southward, LB Joplo Bartu, C Gino Gradkowski, and OL Bryce Harris

Outside View: Chris Dimino, 680 The Fan in Atlanta:

Reaction:

The Falcons will be rolling out five new starters on defense in Week 1 when they host the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, the Eagles will feature many new faces on both sides of the ball.

The Eagles will start Sam Bradford at quarterback, and both running backs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews are expected to be a big part of the offense.  With Jeremy Maclin in Kansas City, second year wide out Jordan Matthews will have a bigger role, along with rookie Nelson Agholor.

On defense, the Eagles have added Byron Maxwell who could shadow Julio Jones on Monday night. The interior of the Falcons' offensive line got better following the addition of LG Andy Levitre, but it is still a big concern, meanwhile the Eagles front three is a strength so running back Tevin Coleman could find yards hard to come by.  With Freeman banged up, Coleman will get thestart against the Eagles. It is a tough matchup against one of the best front sevens in the league,

If the Eagles can start fast and get off to a good start, they could cruise in this game.  If not, they will need to limit the X-Plays that were a major issue in 2014.

The Pick:  Eagles 38, Falcons 20

John McMullen's Take: