By Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Eagles' opponent in next Saturday's NFC Divisional Playoff game is set, and it will be quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Julio Jones, and the Atlanta Falcons who will invade Lincoln Financial Field with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line.

After dispelling the Los Angeles Rams 26-13 Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Falcons will look to win their second consecutive road playoff game while the Eagles aim to advance to the franchise's first NFC Championship Game since 2009.

Here's are five reasons to be optimistic about the Eagles' chances, and three reasons to worry that Foles might not be able to do quite enough to win a playoff game:

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Dale Zanine | USA TODAY Sports

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Reasons for optimism:

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1) Matt Ryan's struggles in Philadelphia

Even though Matt Ryan attended William Penn Charter School, his returns to Philadelphia as quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons haven't exactly been happy homecomings.

In six career games at Lincoln Financial Field, Ryan owns a record of just 3-3, with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 60 percent of his passes for an average of 258 yards per game.

Last season, Ryan was held to 18-of-33 passing for 267 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 24-15 Eagles' victory.

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2) Falcons looked very beatable against the Rams

Until the Falcons' fourth quarter scoring drive that was capped by a Julio Jones touchdown catch, the difference in the game was a pair of Matt Bryant field goals that were set up by two Rams special teams giveaways.

Yes, the Falcons defense held the high-powered Rams to 374 yards of total offense, but only 13 points. Meanwhile, Ryan, Jones, and the offense never quite appeared to be as dominant as Atlanta's offense was during last year's playoff run, which plays into the Eagles' hand with Foles at the helm and points potentially being at a premium next week.

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3) Eagles' defensive dominance at Lincoln Financial Field

The Eagles defense has been lights out at Lincoln Financial Field over the last two seasons.

This season, opponents averaged just 13.7 points per game at Lincoln Financial Field. Over the last two seasons, the Eagles have won nine of their last 11 home contests.

Given that the Falcons play in a dome, the Philadelphia long-term forecast calls for snow, and the Eagles' dominance at Lincoln Financial Field, home-field has the potential to be a tangible advantage for the Eagles in this matchup.

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4) Falcons' turnover ratio among worst in the NFL ...

One thing that the Falcons defense has struggled with this season, is creating turnovers, having finished the season ranked No. 27 in the NFL's in takeaways.

While Nick Foles typically does an exceptional job protecting the football, having only thrown two interceptions in the three-plus games that he started this season, matching up against a defense that has only intercepted eight passes this season could be a boost not only to Foles' confidence, but also in the Eagles' offense's ability to hold onto and move the football.

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5) The Eagles beat the Falcons last season

Granted, the Eagles had Carson Wentz last season, but wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith nor running backs LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi were on the team for last season's 24-15 victory at Lincoln Financial Field.

In that game, the Eagles sacked Ryan twice and pulled of a timely interception. It was the defense that lifted the Eagles to victory, and it will likely have to be again on Saturday.

Outcome aside, there is value in past experience against Ryan and the Falcons' offense that can't be picked up from film-study.

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Curtis Compton | TNS

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Reasons for pessimism:

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1) Julio Jones remains among NFL's premier receivers

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is going to be a matchup nightmare for the Eagles' secondary.

Only Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown had more receiving yards this season than Jones' 88 catches for 1,444 yards. Jones was held to three touchdowns this season, but he remains the focal point of the Falcons' aerial attack.

In last season's meeting, Jones had his way with Eagles' cornerback Jalen Mills, catching 10 passes for 135 yards, but was held out of the end zone.

The Eagles' passing defense ranked No. 17 in the league while allowing 3,637 passing yards. The duo of Ryan and Jones aren't exactly a favorable matchup for the Eagles' defense.

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2) Ryan's quick-release could be Eagles' Achilles heel

What could make Ryan an exceptionally bad matchup for the Eagles defense is how quickly he gets rid of the football.

With one of the quickest releases of any quarterback in the NFL, the Eagles needn't look that far into the past to see just how much of an impact a quick release has on this defense.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning lit up the Eagles' defense for 434 yards in Week 15, and Manning's only other 300-yard passing performance of the season came in Week 3 against the Eagles, when he passed for 366 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

This season, Ryan has been absolutely proficient, completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 4,095 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

If the Eagles' pass rush doesn't get home, and Ryan has a chance to rifle the ball out quickly, it could be a long afternoon for the defense.

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3) Matt Ryan's Playoff experience

Following last year's Falcons' Super Bowl run, the Eagles will not have the advantage in the playoff experience category.

Foles has only appeared in one playoff game, while Ryan has played in eight, including last year's Super Bowl.

In his eight playoff appearances, Ryan has completed 68.07 percent of his passes for 2,244 yards and 18 touchdowns, 7 interceptions while posting a 3-5 record.

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Eagles vs. Falcons: 10 things to know

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THE NO HUDDLE SHOW

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Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoPHL.