Kyle Pitts is heading back to his hometown of Philadelphia for the first time in his NFL career, and this matchup sets up perfectly for a breakout performance. The Falcons' athletic tight end, who had three catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, is poised for a rebound game against an Eagles defense that struggled to contain slot receivers in their season opener. With Pitts running 64% of his routes from the slot in his first game with Kirk Cousins under center, this is a prime opportunity for him to shine.
Pitts’ Week 1 usage was impressive, playing 54 of 56 snaps and running 28 of 28 routes. His 100% route participation ranks him among just nine players (of any position) across the NFL in elite usage, and he posted the 6th-best separation rate and 3rd-highest route win rate among qualified tight ends. This consistent involvement in the offense is a strong indicator that Pitts is due for a bigger statistical game in Week 2, especially in front of friends and family in the stands.
Cousins has historically leaned on his tight ends in the passing game, and with Pitts’ favorable matchup in the slot, he should see more than the three targets he had in Week 1. The Eagles were picked apart by Packers’ slot receivers in their first game, making Pitts a significant threat. He has projections of four receptions for 40 yards by BetQL and Pitts’ player props at BetMGM opened at 38.5 receiving yards, 3.5 receptions, and +250 to score a touchdown. All three of these props offer value, and Pitts is in a strong position to hit them given the Eagles’ vulnerabilities.
Playing in Philadelphia for the first time in his career, Pitts will be motivated to deliver. (His only previous game against the Eagles came in Atlanta during his rookie season in 2021.) With increased usage, solid efficiency metrics, and a favorable matchup, I expect Pitts to surpass his projections and deliver a breakout game in Week 2.
My prediction: seven catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.
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