The Week 2 Monday Night Football matchup is a battle of the birds. The Philadelphia Eagles are hosting the Atlanta Falcons at their nest.
Who will soar? Who will be sore? Which bird will lay an egg? Let’s look at the Week 2 MNF matchup and some bets you can take on DraftKings Sportsbook. You can also check out our NFL content on DraftKings Network.
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DeVonta Smith Receiving Yards +100 (+220)
A.J. Brown is out. This is DeVonta Smith’s time to shine in prime time. Smith has the talent and the quarterback. Only volume holds him back. The volume will be concentrated with Brown on the sideline. The Falcons’ secondary is a turnstile, letting wide receivers slip through like they’re on a slippery slide, and Smith’s got the speed and precision to exploit every inch of that vulnerability.
The Falcons’ pass defense will likely improve by the end of the season. They have the talent and the coaching, but the new additions will take time to gel. A test against Philadelphia early in the season doesn’t bode well for the Falcons. Even with Brown out, Hurts and Smith are too much. Throw in Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert, and it’s way too much for the Falcons to cover.
With Jalen Hurts likely to pepper him with targets, Smith’s route running and catch radius will be on full display. Expect him to turn the increased opportunities into highlight-reel catches and chunk plays that’ll have fans and fantasy owners alike grinning from ear to ear. The explosive volume makes Smith a viable candidate for 100 receiving yards.
A.J. Terrell is a talented cornerback, and this is not the best matchup for Smith, but it’s the best situation. Every situation is the best with the Eagles. Hurts is a dynamic quarterback who extends plays. Even the best cornerbacks struggle against the Eagles’ pass attack. Smith’s target share will be maxed out. He has the potential for multiple big catches on Monday Night Football.
Philadelphia Eagles -5.5 (-112)
The absence of A.J. Brown hurts. It’s not enough to ground the Eagles. Fly Eagles, Fly. The Falcons aren’t leaving the nest. The 2023 NFC Champions should not have any difficulties handling the disappointing Falcons. This line is giving Atlanta too much credit. It’s early in the season. Optimism and hope are in full supply. Every team believes. Every fan believes. After one week, the DraftKings Sportsbook isn’t ready to dismiss the dirty birds. This game could easily be a blowout.
Jalen Hurts was a little sloppy in Week 1. It was Week 1. Who wasn’t sloppy? Hurts is primed to light up the scoreboard against the Falcons on Monday Night Football, and here’s why: the guy’s a playmaking machine with the agility of a gymnast and the arm of a cannon.
The Falcons’ defense is like that leaky faucet you just can’t fix; it’s got gaps everywhere, and Hurts is more than ready to turn those leaks into a full-blown flood. With the Falcons’ front seven struggling to contain mobile quarterbacks, Hurts will run circles around them, both through the air and on the ground.
Plus, under the bright lights of Monday Night Football, you know Hurts will come out swinging. If there’s a chance for fireworks, Hurts will set off the display.
Kirk Cousins’ prime-time woes are like a bad rerun of a show you keep hoping will get better, but it never does. He’s got the stats to back him up in regular games, but when he comes to the big stage when everyone’s watching, it’s like he’s suddenly got stage fright.
Whether it’s a Monday or Sunday night, Cousins seems to stumble over his feet. It’s not just the stats that take a hit; the whole aura of clutch play seems to evaporate under the spotlight. The pattern is almost predictable—solid performances in daylight hours, but the script flips when the big lights come on. It’s a reminder that even the most consistent players can falter when the game’s on the line, and Cousins’ prime-time struggles have become a headline that refuses to change.
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