Chargers vs. Falcons Pick
Two prolific offenses will meet in Atlanta on Sunday when the Falcons host the Chargers at 4:05PM ET. Will the game live up to the shootout hype?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Falcons now 6-point home favorites versus the Chargers after opening as a 6.5-point favorite. As for the total, the number hit the board at 50.5 but has since jumped all the way up to 53 at the majority of online and Vegas sports books.
The Chargers lead the league in points per game at 16.5 and points per game differential at +9.5 in the first half. In the second half, they also allow the most points per game at 17.8 and have been outscored by 5.5 points per game, which ranks 28th in the NFL. San Diego has lost three games in which it led in the fourth quarter, which is tied for the most in the NFL with the Chicago Bears.
The Falcons are 8-1 all-time against the Chargers and have won the last six meetings between the two teams. They’re also 5-1 against AFC teams the last two seasons and have already won two straight against the conference, with both victories coming on the road (at Oakland in Week 2 and at Denver in Week 5). Matt Ryan leads the league in total passing yards (2,075), total QBR (85.1), and yards per attempt (9.9).
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OUR PREDICTION: While everyone continues to focus on what Ryan and Co. are doing on offense, it’s the Falcons’ defense that has flown under the radar when people discuss Atlanta’s 4-2 start. The Falcons’ pass rush has improved significantly over their last three games, pressuring opponents on 37.8 percent of their drop backs, including 43.0-percent of drop backs over the last two games (both third most in the NFL in each span). With Vic Beasley, Dwight Freeney and Adrian Clayborn hitting their stride, look for Atlanta to play better defensively than most expect and for this game to fall just under for bettors.
NFL WEEK 7 PICK: CHARGERS/FALCONS UNDER 53
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