Who will win this week?

The Philadelphia Eagles are going to defeat the Atlanta Falcons today.

All season long, starting in Week 1, I’ve just had strong feelings about certain games. And every time I’ve had that feeling, I haven’t been wrong. Check the timestamps.

I also remember feeling good about the Eagles-Rams game, although I can’t find if I tweeted about that one. Point being: it’s not like I was just picking the Eagles to beat clearly inferior opponents.

It’s not like I took the Eagles every week, either. I didn’t feel as good about their chances against the Chiefs and the Seahawks. And though I know many are picking against the Eagles this week, that’s just not the feeling I get.

Call me a sucker but I really buy into the idea the Eagles are legitimately angry about being the first No. 1 seed underdogs in NFL history. With everyone counting them out, they’re going to go out there today with a desire to prove people wrong.

Eagles fans are going to make life really hard on the Falcons. It’s going to be electric at Lincoln Financial Field. Atlanta’s going to have to burn a timeout early in the game. They’re going to have some issues with false starts and delay of games.

Philadelphia’s defense should be able to keep an underachieving Falcons offense in check. This is a game where the defensive line is really poised to eat. The Falcons are weak at guard so it’s time for Fletcher Cox and Tim Jernigan to especially dominate. Their ability to generate interior pressure will move Matt Ryan off his spot and force him into the path of Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, Chris Long, and Derek Barnett.

On offense, I don’t expect to see Nick Foles suddenly get hot. But maybe he can be serviceable with Jay Ajayi leading the way. The Jay Train went for 130 yards in his last meeting with Atlanta earlier this season. The Eagles will look to feed him and it’ll be fun to see him run tough behind a strong Eagles run-blocking offensive line. Atlanta won’t have fun trying to tackle him in this cold weather, especially late in the game.

This won’t be a flawless victory for the Eagles. Julio Jones will make some big plays. The Falcons will move the ball. Atlanta’s defense will force a number of punts. But the Eagles will do just enough to win this one. The defensive is bound to force a strip sack. Someone’s going to notch at least one interception, too. Could be Ronald Darby for a pick-six.

Call it wishful thinking, but this season has been too special to end with a first round playoff exit whimper. I’m taking the Eagles to win today and I feel pretty confident about it.

Here’s who the BGN writers are predicting to win. Here’s advice when picking against the spread.

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Suggested format:

Score prediction:

Bold prediction:

My predictions:

Score prediction: Eagles win, 17-14

Bold prediction: Jake Elliott game-winning field goal from 69 yards out

Your predictions:

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