We are finally here, we have finally made it Falcons fans. The season is final here and it all starts Sunday at 1 p.m. with the Philadelphia Eagles in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Even though we are all excited to get the season started, none of us know what to really expect tomorrow, especially on the offensive side of the football for both teams. On the Nick Kayal Show, Nick went behind enemy lines today with Rob Maaddi, NFL AP writer for the Eagles. During the interview we found out that the only thing to expect from this game is the unexpected.
The debate went on for most of the preseason between Falcons fans on whether or not Arthur Smith should’ve played his starters more, or played Matt Ryan period. But the Falcons aren’t the only team that kept things close to the vest during the preseason.
New and also first-time head coach, just like Arthur Smith for the Falcons, Nick Sirianni didn’t show much of what he will be doing on offense this season in the preseason.
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“We don't really know what Nick Sirianni’s offense is going to look like because he didn’t show anything in the pre-season,” Maaddi confirmed. However, just like any coach, Rob did tell Nick that “He is going to play to the offense's strengths.”
You know when you think about it there are some interesting parallels between these two teams. Both have new and first-time head coaches, new defensive coordinators, and both are trying to bounce back from not-so-great seasons last year. With all that being said, the most important parallel for tomorrow is that both teams will finally be putting their full offense on full display.
“I think running the football has to be a big part of the Eagles offense in order for Jalen Hurts to settle into the game,” said Maaddi.
But think that goes for the Falcons too. Obviously, a young quarterback's best friend is a good running game to rely on. And that will be no different for Jalen Hurts. But last time Matt Ryan had a 1,000-yard rusher he won the MVP and was in the Super Bowl. So when it comes to the two offenses tomorrow even though we don’t know what to expect, running the ball will be very important.
Falcons versus Eagles should be a very fun and exciting game. We should see a lot of blitzing from Dean Pees, and a good pass-rush from the Eagles. But when it comes to the offenses for Arthur Smith and Nick Sirianni, who knows what we will see tomorrow.