NFL Playoffs 2018: Eagles must exploit these 5 matchups vs. Atlanta Falcons

By Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

All week, as he has tried to deflect blame from quarterback Nick Foles, head coach Doug Pederson has preached that football is a team game -- and everyone will have to step up this Saturday to beat the Atlanta Falcons.

Although Pederson is intentionally underselling the importance of the quarterback position, there is no denying that even if he plays his best game, Foles is going to need some help.

The Falcons present plenty of matchup problems for the Eagles, but the Eagles also have a few spots where they can really take advantage of the Falcons as well.

Here are five key matchups the Eagles must exploit and take advantage of against the Falcons:

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Bill Streicher | AP PHOTO

NELSON AGHOLOR VS. BRIAN POOLE

Since the minute the Eagles opened OTAs last summer, Nelson Agholor has been the best receiver on the team. He was in OTAs, he was in training camp and he has been during the regular season.

Agholor's dominance in the slot matches up perfectly with the Falcons' secondary, as nickel cornerback Brian Poole is the weakest of the Falcons' three starting cornerbacks. Poole was ranked 30th of 31 nickel cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus.

The Eagles need to make sure they target Agholor early-and-often against the Falcons, and Agholor needs to make sure he beats Poole up and down the field.

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Charlie Riedel | AP PHOTO

BEN GARLAND/ALEX MACK vs. FLETCHER COX

Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox must have been licking his chops watching the way Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald dominated the interior of the Falcons' offensive line last Saturday. Cox might not be the player Donald is, but he is close -- and he needs to dominate.

The Falcons will likely try to get the ball out of quarterback Matt Ryan's hand quickly on Saturday, but one way to prevent that is for Cox to blowup the interior line combo of center Alex Mack and guard Ben Garland consistently.

Cox is paid to be a difference maker on the defensive side of the ball. He has to be on Saturday.

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Bill Streicher | AP PHOTO

ALEX MACK/WES SCHWEITZER vs. TIMMY JERNIGAN

When the Eagles traded for defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan last offseason, they did so with the idea of him taking pressure -- and double teams -- off of Cox. The plan has worked to perfection this season, as Jernigan has been dominant in his own right, allowing Cox plenty of one-on-one matchups.

Jernigan has to have his best game of the season against the Falcons. When the Falcons double-team Cox, Jernigan has to get pressure against Falcons offensive guard Wes Schweitzer. If he doesn't it could be a long day for the Eagles' secondary.

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Lori M. Nichols | NJ.com

HALAPOULIVAATI VAITAI vs. ADRIAN CLAYBORN

Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn is having a much better 2017 than 2016, finishing with over twice as many sacks this season (9.5) as he did last year (4.5). Pro Football Focus has Clayborn ranked as the 10th best defensive end in the NFL this season.

Clayborn lives exclusively on the right side of the defensive line, which means he is going to be lined up against left tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Given how Vaitai has struggled the last few games, it is tough to say the Eagles have the advantage in this matchup.

It is, however, a matchup the Eagles must win if they plan on giving quarterback Nick Foles time in the pocket to operate.

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John Froschauer | AP PHOTO

KENJON BARNER vs. FALCONS' SPECIAL TEAMS

The Eagles' special teams unit has taken a step back in 2017, but according to Football Outsiders, the Eagles still have an advantage on kickoff vs. the Atlanta Falcons, who have struggled on kickoff return this season.

The advantage puts pressure on kick returner Kenjon Barner in two ways.

First, Barner has to make sure he takes care of the ball, as turnovers on special teams were a big reason why the Falcons jumped out to an early lead over the Rams last Saturday. Barner has fumbled the ball in two straight games.

Once he cleanly fields the ball, Barner has to take advantage of a weak Falcons' kickoff team. A special teams touchdown could be huge in helping the Eagles pull off the upset.

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WHERE TO REACH ME

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.

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