No. 4: Falcons’ Vic Beasley vs. Eagles’ Lane Johnson

Atlanta’s defense took a pass-rushing hit after losing edge rusher Adrian Clayborn, who was the team’s leading sack producer with 9.5 quarterback takedowns.

That puts increasing pressure on edges Takkarist McKinley and, namely, Vic Beasley to provide the Falcons pass rush in 2018. And after a down year with just five sacks in 2017 (he had a league-leading 15.5 the year prior), Beasley will have to be a major force against whichever quarterback the Eagles elect to start Thursday.

Beasley lines up as Atlanta’s 5-technique (big) end, meaning he’ll frequently face off against Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson, who owns a 78.9 pass-blocking grade from 2017, per Pro Football Focus.

Johnson allowed only three sacks and just 17 quarterback hurries last year and, notably, zero sacks and two pressures when the Falcons and Eagles squared off in the divisional round earlier in 2018.

This will be a heavyweight bout to watch on the field, as Johnson will look to anchor the right side of Philadelphia’s offensive line against the Falcons’ best pass-rusher. If Beasley winds up winning this contest with some regularity, look for the Eagles offense to struggle finding its rhythm.