The Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles kickoff the NFL season with a major Thursday night matchup. According to OddsShark, the Eagles are favored by 1.5 points, and the over-under is set at 44.5. The public seems to be leaning on the Falcons with 52 percent of the money riding on Atlanta. It is re-match of last season’s NFC Divisional Round matchup as the Eagles topped the Falcons 15-10 in a low-scoring affair. The Eagles will be a little shorthanded in the matchup with a number of players missing in action, including Carson Wentz and Alshon Jeffrey. On defense, Philadelphia beefed up an already solid defensive line by adding Michael Bennett this offseason. “Obviously a very good front, front four,” Ryan told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The defensive line rotation, their stout inside they’ve got good edge rushers. They have Michael Bennett, who we’ve seen a lot in Seattle, I know he’s a talented player. It’ll be a good test for us up front, for sure and they do a good job with their scheme of utilizing all those guys and creating matchups that they find favorable. It’ll be a good challenge, a good task for us on Thursday night.” Falcons vs. Eagles Prediction The OddsShark computer likes the Eagles to win big. The computer projects a 29.9 to 13.9 Eagles victory. The computer is taking the Eagles to cover the spread, and the under on the point total. If the Eagles were at full strength, I would go with the defending champs, but a short-handed Eagles offense is likely going to struggle against the Falcons defense. Vic Beasley is back to coming off the edge rather than playing a traditional linebacker role, and should be a disruptive force in this matchup. The Falcons offense also received a nice boost with the addition of Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who has looked great in the pre-season. Ridley gives the Falcons a legit WR2, something they have been missing since Roddy White. Look for Atlanta to utilize Tevin Coleman, a running back who has a strong track record against the Eagles. The Falcons website detailed Coleman’s history against Philadelphia. In his previous two matchups against the Eagles, Coleman has totaled 30 rushes for 159 yards, including eight first downs, and one catch for 14 yards. The former Hoosier’s 5.3 yards per carry is the highest average in Falcons history against the Eagles with a minimum of 25 carries. In the divisional-round matchup back in January, Coleman recorded 10 rushes for 79 yards and will be looking to top that and help the Falcons seal the win this time around. I like the Falcons to take advantage of a short-handed Eagles offense, and get a little revenge as Atlanta pulls off the opening victory. Like their playoff matchup, expect another low-scoring game, making the under a nice play this evening. Heavy’s Pick: Falcons 20 Eagles 17. Falcons Cover +1.5 Spread. Under on the Point Total.<doc-sep>Sam Greenwood/Getty Images The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will begin their title defense against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday as small home favorites at the sportsbooks to kick off the 2018 NFL season and may do so without starting quarterback Carson Wentz. Fortunately, the Eagles still have reigning Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles to replace him after he filled in admirably at the end of last year when Wentz suffered a torn ACL. NFL point spread: The Eagles opened as 5.5-point favorites; the total was 46.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report) NFL betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 29.9-13.9 Eagles (NFL picks on every game) Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news. Video Play Button Videos you might like Why the Falcons can cover the spread Atlanta will be out to play spoiler and try to avenge last year's 15-10 divisional playoff loss at Philadelphia that saw the team fail to convert on a fourth-and-goal play from the two-yard line late in the game. The Falcons were that close to advancing to the NFC Championship Game for the second year in a row and closed as 2.5-point road favorites. Even with that defeat, Atlanta has won seven of its last 10 games overall straight up, according to the OddsShark NFL Database, to go along with an impressive 11-3 mark against the spread in its past 14 played under the lights in prime time. Why the Eagles can cover the spread Foles was obviously outstanding en route to helping the Eagles win their first Vince Lombardi Trophy last season as the best backup quarterback in the league. He is a savvy veteran and does a great job of limiting turnovers, which is one of the main reasons they kept him around in 2018 despite a high cost. Philadelphia is a remarkable 11-1 SU in its last 12 home games, going 13-1 SU and 10-4 ATS in the team's previous 14 as favorites as well. Those two numbers alone are worth betting on here. Smart betting pick There will be a lot of emotion for the Eagles playing at home in this nationally televised Thursday night matchup, and that will work against them like it did for the New England Patriots versus the Kansas City Chiefs a year ago in the same situation. Atlanta is a hungry squad that is one season removed from making a run to the Super Bowl too, so look for Matt Ryan and company to get the best of Foles in this rematch. NFL betting trends The total has gone under in 10 of the Falcons' last 13 games against the Eagles. The Falcons are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games at night. The total has gone under in the Falcons' last seven games. All NFL odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.<doc-sep>Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press After initially opening as underdogs, the Atlanta Falcons are one-point favorites in Thursday's season-opening road game against the Philadelphia Eagles. According to B/R Gambling, the Eagles were originally four-point favorites: The line swing doesn't bode well for Philly since it is 2-9 against the spread in its past 11 regular-season games as a home underdog, per OddsShark. The change likely had to do with Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz officially being ruled out for the game as he continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered late last season. Backup Nick Foles will start in his place on the heels of leading the Eagles on an improbable playoff run that ended with the first Super Bowl championship in team history. Foles was named MVP of Super Bowl LII, as he threw for 373 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, and caught a touchdown in a 41-33 win over the New England Patriots. No. 1 wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will also miss Thursday's game, meaning Foles will be forced to lean on wideouts Nelson Agholor and Mike Wallace, as well as tight end Zach Ertz. Additionally defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan is on the physically unable to perform list and linebacker Nigel Bradham won't play due to a suspension. Video Play Button Videos you might like By comparison, the Falcons are healthy with no key players slated to miss Thursday's contest. Atlanta fell just short in a 15-10 playoff loss to the Eagles last season, but quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Julio Jones and Co. will be out for revenge and a chance to spoil the Eagles' Super Bowl celebration Thursday night.<doc-sep>
The Philadelphia Eagles are 8-1 straight up and 7-1-1 against the spread in their last nine home games against the Atlanta Falcons. The Eagles begin their quest for a second straight Super Bowl this Thursday night hoping to continue their home success against the Falcons. Philadelphia is a 1.5-point home favorite at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. This game opened with the Eagles as 5.5-point favorites but has moved down with the news that Carson Wentz will not be ready to play in the season opener. Philadelphia Eagles Nick Foles steps in for the injured Wentz as he did at the end of the 2017 season. Last year, Foles went on an incredible run in the postseason with six touchdowns and only one interception, earning the Super Bowl MVP Award and leading the Eagles to a 3-0 SU and ATS record. More recently, Foles ended the preseason with no scoring drives, two interceptions, six sacks and two fumbles. Which version of Foles the Eagles get on Thursday night will play a major role in how this game turns out. The Eagles were a reliable bet as a betting favorite last season with a 13-1 SU and 10-4 ATS record in their last 14 games as one per the OddsShark NFL Database. Atlanta Falcons The Falcons entered their NFC Championship Game against the Eagles last year on the heels of a 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS run. Atlanta was a road favorite in that matchup but came a goal-line stand short of advancing to the Super Bowl. Given their history of struggles against the Eagles and the fresh pain of defeat from last season, the Falcons should be ready with their best effort on Thursday. Thursday night’s total is set at 44.5 points. The UNDER is 7-0 over Atlanta’s last seven games. Football fans were anxiously awaiting the return of Carson Wentz, but that wait will have to continue as the Eagles don’t want to take any chances with their franchise quarterback. In the meantime, it will be up to Nick Foles to find last season’s form in a hurry as the Eagles won’t be able to give Wentz much more time if he doesn’t. For more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news check out the OddsShark podcast with Jon Campbell and Andrew Avery. Subscribe on iTunes or listen to it at OddsShark.libsyn.com.