Los Angeles Chargers vs Atlanta Falcons Pick and Preview
Non-Conference NFL Matchup
Point Spread: Falcons +3.0 | Total Points: 49.5
The Chargers will kick off week 9 with an above .500 record of 4-3, placing them 7th in the AFC. Heading into the game, the Chargers will look to get back in the win column, as they are coming off a 37-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Los Angeles lost the game, even though they entered the game as 5-point favorites. The teams combined for a total of 60 points, which surpassed the over-under betting line of 51.
Leading into their week 9 NFC South matchup against Atlanta, the Falcons have an overall record of 4-4. This week, the Falcons will look to keep things rolling after picking up a 37-34 win over their division rival, the Carolina Panthers. Even though Atlanta picked up the win, they failed to cover the spread as 4-point favorites. The combined point total of 71 points easily exceeded the over-under betting line of 41.
Chargers vs Falcons History
In the 2021-2022 season, the two teams did not have a head-to-head matchup against each other. Heading into this week’s matchup, the Chargers have the edge in their recent matchups against Atlanta, going 2-1. In the last 3 games, Los Angeles is averaging 18 points per game compared to 24 for the Falcons.
The last 3 times that the Falcons have hosted Los Angeles, they have a record of 2-1. When looking at the 5 most recent games, Los Angeles has the edge on the spread, sitting at 3-2 ATS.
Notable Injuries
Los Angeles Chargers
- Keenan Allen (Hamstring) Questionable
- Dustin Hopkins (Hamstring) Questionable
- Jerry Tillery (Back) Questionable
- Donald Parham Jr. (Concussion) Probable
- Stone Smartt (Undisclosed) Questionable
- Joshua Palmer (Concussion) Probable
- Chris Rumph II (Hip) Questionable
Atlanta Falcons
- A.J. Terrell (Hamstring) Questionable
- Jaylinn Hawkins (Concussion) Probable
- Elijah Wilkinson (Knee) Questionable
- Cordarrelle Patterson (Knee) Questionable
Keys To Victory: Los Angeles Chargers
For the season, the Los Angeles offense is averaging 23.43 points per contest, placing them 11th in the NFL. Although Los Angeles is scoring at an above-average rate, they have accounted for less than half of the overall scoring. Currently, their average point differential is at -3.57 points per contest. So far, the Chargers have been one of the best passing units in the NFL, averaging 279 yards per game through the air. However, if they are going to maintain their usual level of production, they will need to do so against a Falcons defense that has been strong against the pass. On the season, quarterback Justin Herbert has completed 65.9% of his passes for a total of 2009 passing yards. Going into the game, the team’s leader in receiving yards is Mike Williams, who has caught 62.7% of the balls thrown his way for a total of 495 yards.
This week, don’t expect the Chargers to find much success on the ground, as they are not only one of the worst rushing teams in the NFL, but they have a tough matchup against a Falcons defense giving up just 108.88 yards per game against the run. So far, the team’s leading rusher is Austin Ekeler, who is averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Through 7 games, he has rushed for a total of 380 yards on the ground.
Keys To Victory: Atlanta Falcons
Marcus Mariota and the Atlanta passing attack come into the game ranked just 30th in passing attempts. This below-average figure has led to Mariota throwing for a total of 1432 yards on a completion percentage of 62.9%. As a team, the Falcons are ranked 6th in scoring at 25 points per contest. Heading into the game, the team’s top receiver Drake London is matched up against the league’s 18th-ranked secondary. For the year, he has been targeted 49 times for 346 yards.
Tyler Allgeier and the Atlanta ground attack could be in line for a good game, as the Falcons are 27th in the NFL in rush yards allowed per game. Allgeier figures to get a majority of the carries for a unit averaging 158.12 yards per contest in the run game.
Betting Trends
- Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games on the road.
- Los Angeles is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games at home.
- Los Angeles is 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games as the favorite.
- Los Angeles is 6-3-1 ATS in their last 10 games as the underdog.
Prediction.
Despite all the Chargers injuries, we like Herbert and company in this matchup. Pick: Chargers 24-20.
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