The Falcons take on the Eagles (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN) on Monday Night Football on September 16 to close out Week 2 in the NFL.
With that in mind, I (PropBetGuy) have two NFL player prop predictions to target for this MNF duel between the Falcons and Eagles.
PropBetGuy's Falcons vs Eagles MNF Player Prop Predictions
- Kyle Pitts Under 18.5 Long Reception (-115, bet365)
- Saquon Barkley Over 17.5 Rush Attempts (-120, FanDuel)
Kyle Pitts Under 18.5 Long Reception (-115)
Before I dig into the guy catching the ball (Pitts), let’s look at who will be doing the throwing – quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Cousins returned last week after enduring a season-ending Achilles' injury last season. Without any preseason action, Week 1 was our first look at Cousins in a Falcons uniform.
The results were uninspiring. Cousins didn't seem fully healthy as he was noticeably avoiding using his right foot to plant on his throws.
The former Viking was 16-for-25 with 155 passing yards. He didn't attempt a pass more than 20 yards down the field, per Pro Football Focus data. Also, two of his eight throws of at least 10 yards were considered turnover-worthy plays (per PFF).
Pitts saw three of Cousins' targets, with the longest pass going for 12 yards (into the end zone).
I don’t want to rely on a one-game sample too much, but between Cousins not looking quite right and the lack of game reps with Pitts, I do see an edge here tonight.
Plus, the matchup on paper should be difficult. The Eagles are stronger up the middle of the field in coverage, with Reed Blankenship, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and speedy linebackers in Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun.
I’m going to assume that Cousins will be taking some deep shots down the field tonight, for better or worse. But after receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney, Pitts isn't a surefire bet to be on the receiving end.
I have the fourth-year pro’s longest reception projected closer to 15 yards tonight.
Pick: Kyle Pitts Under 18.5 Long Reception (-115 | Play to -130)
Saquon Barkley Over 17.5 Rush Attempts (-120)
After a resounding 24-carry, three-touchdown performance in Brazil, I’m backing Barkley to once again serve as the workhorse in the Eagles' backfield.
After coming over from the Giants on a lucrative free agency deal, it’s clear that the Eagles intend to give Barkley all of the work he can handle. In Week 1, there was only one non-Barkley attempt by an Eagles running back.
The Falcons are coming off a Week 1 game against the Steelers, who ran 28 scripted rushing plays (excluding QB sneaks).
As I alluded to above, I don’t expect the Falcons to be able to move the ball well through the air, and the Eagles' rush defense is stout. That will result in a greater time of possession for Philly.
With no A.J. Brown in the passing game, I love Barkley’s potential production tonight. I have the back projected at 20 totes.
Pick: Saquon Barkley Over 17.5 Rush Attempts (-120)
