Tag: Atlanta Falcons

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Falcons?

Find out who experts are picking between the Chargers and Falcons.

The Los Angeles Chargers are 1-point road favorites over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13 of the 2024 regular season. The over/under is 47.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 47 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 27-21 win for the Chargers, with a total of 48 points. So, if I were putting money based on my prediction, I’d bet the over.

As for game picks, analysts give a slight nod to Los Angeles.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Falcons
Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Falcons
Mike Clay (ESPN) Chargers
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Chargers
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Chargers
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Chargers
NFL.com Staff Chargers (4-1)
Bleacher Report Falcons

Sunday’s game will begin at 10:00 a.m. PT and be televised on CBS.

Four players we want to see more of after the Falcons’ bye week

4 Falcons players we want to see more of over the final six games of the season

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off their bye with a 6-5 record and an effective two-game lead in the division race. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just one game back in the NFC South standings, the Falcons hold the tiebreaker due to sweeping the season series.

Despite leading the division, this team still has its share of issues. Atlanta’s defense has been unable to pressure opposing quarterbacks and the offense has struggled to protect Kirk Cousins. Fixing these two issues will be critical if the Falcons intend to secure a playoff berth this season.

Here are four players we want to see more of over the final six games.

1. EDGE Arnold Ebiketie

Ebiketie was selected early in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft, but he still hasn’t produced at the level many expected. Most of the issues that were present when he was drafted still exist. Ebiketie has 24 tackles (16 solo), one sack and seven QB hits this season. The former Penn State standout needs to step up if the Falcons are going to end their six-year playoff drought.

2. LT Jake Matthews

Jake Matthews is an important part of this Falcons offense and has been since he entered the league. The veteran left tackle is rightfully held to a higher standard than some of his teammates. Matthews, along with the rest of the offensive line, has to do a better job of protecting the quarterback. While the offense has been explosive at times, poor pass protection continues to hold this unit back.

3. EDGE Matthew Judon

Similar to Ebiketie, Matthew Judon has not been consistent enough for Atlanta this season. Despite being tied for the team lead with 2.5 sacks, Judon has the worst pass-rush win rate on the team and is the only player below 10 percent. The Falcons were praised for acquiring the veteran edge rusher back in August but their pass-rushing problems have persisted. Judon will need to step up over the final six games or it’s unlikely he’ll be back in Atlanta next season.

4. QB Michael Penix Jr.

Cousins isn’t going anywhere this season, but we should still see more of Michael Penix Jr. down the stretch. The rookie would benefit from getting extra live reps, even if they come in garbage time. If Atlanta can secure the division before the season finale against the Carolina Panthers, perhaps Penix could get the start in Week 18.

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Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 13 opponent: Falcons

Here are some important things to know about the Falcons ahead of the Week 13 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers are on the road to face the Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 10:00 a.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 13 bout, here are a few key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

How things are going…

The Falcons are 6-5 on the season. They’re in first place in the NFC South.

Prolific passing offense

The Falcons made an offseason move to acquire quarterback Kirk Cousins, which has seemed to pay dividends. Atlanta ranks No. 5 in passing offense, averaging 243.6 yards per game. They’re eighth in yards per play (7.8). Cousins’ top targets, Darnell Mooney and Drake London, have over 700 receiving yards.

Beware of Bijan

Running back Bijan Robinson is another skill player the Chargers need to account for at all times. Robinson is good on the ground and can catch the ball. He has over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.

Not so good on the other side of the ball

The Falcons have struggled on defense this season. They’re allowing 24.9 points per game, which ranks 25th. Atlanta is 19th against the run and 26th against the pass. The Falcons have ten sacks through 11 games, the fewest in the league.

Look out for…

Robinson. The Chargers struggled to stop the run last week against the Ravens, and they will have a tall task against Robinson, who has proven to be electric on the ground.

Commanders’ Dan Quinn says what he’s thankful for

Dan Quinn expresses what he’s thankful for.

He had his opportunity to be an NFL head coach, and feared he may never get the opportunity again.

Dan Quinn worked for so long, for so many seasons, in so many locations. He coached college football at William & Mary, VMI, Hofstra, and Florida. His NFL stops were the 49ers, Dolphins, Jets, and Seahawks, and finally, he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

In only his second season, the Falcons won the NFC championship and led the Patriots 28-3 before losing in overtime 34-28. Four seasons later, he was fired from the Falcons at 0-5.

Quinn was then the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for three seasons. Adam Peters and Josh Harris hired him as the Commanders’ head coach.

Wednesday with the media, Quinn was asked what he is thankful for this year.

“A lot, honestly,” replied Quinn. “And being here with this group at this time in my life is, I have a lot of gratitude for because those moments that you get to share in a locker room, a meeting room on the field, already in a short time, we’ve built a really strong bond.”

Hearing various players this season refer to their “brotherhood,” Quinn certainly has them playing for one another. Even more, racing off to a 7-2 start certainly didn’t hurt team bonding either.

Coming to a new city, a new team, a new franchise, for one more opportunity to be an NFL head coach was huge for Quinn.

“And so, for me to have all these new relationships from February to now has been really cool and I love seeing those grow and get even stronger as we’re hitting it. So, having this chance to be here in this city with this team, A number one.”

We all have things for which we can be thankful this Thanksgiving. Here’s hoping the Commanders’ players, coaches, and staff will take time to reflect on their many blessings.

May they find joy in counting their blessings from God and living to be a blessing to others.

Kirk Cousins admitted to singing along to Wicked when he saw it in theaters

Kirk Cousins is defying gravity.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins revealed himself to be one of the folks singing Wicked songs in the theater.

While talking to Atlanta media on Wednesday, Cousins said he saw the new movie during the team’s bye week and couldn’t help but sing the songs in his theater seat since he sang them in his high school choir.

“I was kind of waiting for my wife to nudge me to stop doing that,” Cousins joked about his one-man Wicked singalong. “When Elphaba goes into ‘The Wizard and I,’ it’s hard not to [sing along], and then ‘Defying Gravity,’ it’s hard not to.”

If Cousins can help get the Falcons back to the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, we bet the folks in Atlanta won’t mind him belting his favorite Wicked songs at the movies all he wants.

After all, he’d be quite the … popular … guy.

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Broncos will have to make a Drew Sanders decision this week

The Broncos have to make a decision on LB Drew Sanders this week.

The Denver Broncos will have to make at least one roster decision this week.

After letting the deadline for pass for Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) to return from the physically unable to perform list last week, the Broncos will keep Turner-Yell on the PUP list for the rest of the season.

Denver now has to make a decision on linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles), who has to be activated from the PUP list by Wednesday. If he’s not activated, Sanders will also be shut down for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) has one more week to return from injured reserve, and running back Tyler Badie (back) is yet to return to practice.

Here’s a look at the team’s IR/PUP players going into Week 13.

Broncos eligible to return from IR/PUP

  1. LB Drew Sanders: Deadline to return is Nov. 27
  2. WR Josh Reynolds: Deadline to return is Dec. 4
  3. RB Tyler Badie: Eligible to return to practice

The Broncos also have two players — linebacker Alex Singleton (ACL) and offensive lineman Quinn Bailey (ankle) — who are on season-ending IR.

Broncos on season-ending injured reserve

  1. LB Alex Singleton: Out for season
  2. OL Quinn Bailey: Out for season

Denver linebacker Kwon Alexander is also out of practice squad elevations, and he seems likely to end up on the 53-man roster at some point this season. The Broncos will have to make some tough decisions to make room for returning players in the coming weeks.

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A familiar face could be the Vikings playoff opponent in opening round

As of now, the Vikings are projected to face Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons.

It’s not impossible for the Vikings to receive a first-round bye, but with the Detroit Lions extremely hot, Minnesota will need some magic to win the NFC North. If the Vikings can’t beat out the Lions, they would likely get a five—or six-seed in the playoffs.

According to the latest playoff predictor, the Vikings would be the fifth seed and get the chance to play a familiar face in the first round on the road. They would have to go to Atlanta to play the fourth-seed Falcons, who obviously have Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback.

Cousins has had an up-and-down season with Atlanta in his first season away from the Vikings. Cousins was benched this past weekend after the Falcons were down late to the Denver Broncos.

In 2024, Cousins has passed for 2,807 yards and thrown for 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. For Viking fans, beating Cousins in the first round would be a dream scenario.

Broncos could get reinforcements from injured reserve this week

The Broncos have several players eligible to return from injured reserve and the physically unable to perform list this week.

Reinforcements could be on the way for the Denver Broncos this week.

Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) and running back Tyler Badie (back) are both eligible to return from IR, and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) are eligible to return from the physically unable to perform list.

This afternoon is the deadline for Turner-Yell to be activated to the 53-man roster. If he is not activated, DTY will spend the rest of the season on reserve. Sanders has one more week remaining on his 21-day window to return.

Here’s a look at the team’s IR/PUP players going into Week 12.

Broncos eligible to return from IR/PUP

  1. LB Drew Sanders: Eligible to return since Week 5
  2. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: Eligible to return since Week 5
  3. RB Tyler Badie: Eligible to return since Week 9
  4. WR Josh Reynolds: Eligible to return since Week 10

The Broncos also have two players — linebacker Alex Singleton (ACL) and offensive lineman Quinn Bailey (ankle) — who are on season-ending IR.

Broncos on season-ending injured reserve

  1. LB Alex Singleton: Out for season
  2. OL Quinn Bailey: Out for season

Denver linebacker Kwon Alexander and fullback Michael Burton are also out of practice squad elevations, and they seem likely to end up back on the 53-man roster at some point this season. The Broncos will have to make some tough decisions to make room for returning players in the coming weeks.

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Bo Nix had a great quote on Javonte Williams’ touchdown run

Javonte Williams’ touchdown run demonstrated “one united team that is going for one goal,” Broncos quarterback Bo Nix said.

In the second quarter of Sunday’s 38-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams was stood up at the five-yard line and then pushed into the end zone by his teammates for a touchdown.

After the game, Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix had a great comment on how that play exemplified the team bouncing back from Week 10.

“It is effort,” Nix said of the touchdown. “I think that play is kind of the epitome of this week. I think we have been wanting to get over a hurdle. He stopped there for a minute and everybody just kind of pushes around him and gets him in the end zone. Those are the plays you love to see from an offense and a team. It almost looks like one united team that is going for one goal.

“Nobody who was pushing or blocking cared who got the touchdown. They were just pushing from behind. I think it was a great team effort that pictures what this week has been for us. Find ways to get effort and intensity and maximize the opportunity that we have. We have to continue to build, grow, keep fighting and finding ways to score touchdowns and find success.”

That’s exactly the kind of mentality Denver needs going into the final stretch of the 2024 season. Up next is a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Broncos jump 3 spots in NFL power rankings after big win

The Denver Broncos rose three spots in NFL power rankings after their big win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Following their big 38-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the Denver Broncos are now No. 13 in Nate Davis’ latest NFL power rankings for USA TODAY Sports. That’s up three spots from their No. 16 rank last week.

Here is Davis’ commentary on Denver following Sunday’s win:

Perhaps the AFC version of the Vikes, the Broncos went 4-0 against the NFC South and outscored those teams by an average of 22 points.

After sweeping the NFC South, attention now turns to the AFC West, where the Broncos have three games remaining.

Elsewhere in the division, the Kansas City Chiefs are ranked No. 4, the Los Angeles Chargers are ranked No. 11 and the Las Vegas Raiders are ranked No. 27. The Broncos will host the Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 12.

The Detroit Lions are ranked No. 1 and the Jacksonville Jaguars are ranked No. 32 (last). To view the complete NFL power rankings following Week 11, visit USATODAY.com.

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