Tag: Chargers vs. Falcons

Keys to a Chargers’ victory over Falcons in Week 14

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out how Los Angeles can defeat Atlanta in Week 14.

The Chargers are set to face off against the Falcons on Sunday. There are a few things that Los Angeles will need to do in order to a secure a victory.

Offensively, the Chargers need to max protect quarterback Justin Herbert to buy him some time to distribute the wealth, as he will be facing one of the league’s worst pass defenses, potentially leading to high production from the team’s skill players.

From a play-calling standpoint, it has to be better than it has been in recent weeks. The team needs to enforce more rollouts and play action plays for Herbert, where he has been far more efficient.

While Atlanta has been more disciplined against the run, they’re coming off a game where they allowed over 200 yards rushing. Therefore, running back Austin Ekeler could be in a big game.

Defensively, edge defender Joey Bosa and company must get to QB Matt Ryan, who’s been sacked 12 times in his last three games, early and often to eliminate his top target, Calvin Ridley. Even without Julio Jones, the coverage has to be sticky.

The Falcons will look to exploit their run defense, which means that nose tackle Linval Joseph will need to command double teams to allow the other members of the defense to roam freely to limit the ground game. Linebacker Kenneth Murray will need to play like he did last weekend, especially with Denzel Perryman doubtful.

Chargers to start EDGE Isaac Rochell vs. Falcons

The Chargers need to find a way to generate more pressure.

Outside of edge defender Joey Bosa, there has hardly been that much pressure generated on opposing quarterbacks.

Following EDGE Melvin Ingram being placed on the injured reserve last month, the Chargers have experimented with Uchenna Nwosu and Jerry Tillery at the position, but the results haven’t been inspiring.

In hopes of generating a spark, Los Angeles has decided to promote 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee Isaac Rochell to starter this weekend against the Falcons.

Coach Anthony Lynn said Rochell will play big end, the position primarily played by Bosa, while Bosa plays LEO and Nwosu plays strongside linebacker in base packages, like he did last week. Tillery will rotate in.

Lynn cited to Tillery’s penalties that have been ongoing as of late as one of the reasons for the change. He didn’t go into detail as to why Nwosu isn’t getting extended reps, but his shoulder injury could be a reason why.

Rochell, a seventh-round pick of the 2017 NFL draft, has 16 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss this season.

With Ingram set to hit free agency and the team experimenting with other edge defenders in the final stretch of the season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Chargers address the position in the first couple of rounds in the 2021 NFL draft.

Chargers vs. Falcons: NFL experts make Week 14 predictions

Who are NFL experts rolling with this weekend?

The Los Angeles Chargers are considered 2.5-point underdogs to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14 of the 2020 regular season. The over/under is set at 49.5 points, per BetMGM.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 49.5 points.

Our official score prediction for the game is a 28-24 win for the Falcons, with a combined total of 52 points. So if we were putting money behind our prediction, we’d bet the over.

As for game picks, analysts are split between the two.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Chargers
Mike Jones (USA Today) Falcons
Mike Clay (ESPN) Chargers
Dan Graziano (ESPN) Falcons
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Falcons
Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) Chargers
Frank Schwab (Yahoo Sports) Chargers
Bleacher Report Falcons

Sunday’s game will begin at 1:25 p.m. PT and will be televised on FOX.

Prediction poll for matchup between Chargers, Falcons

Make your predictions for the Week 14 matchup.

The Los Angeles Chargers are set to face off against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 1:25 p.m. PT at SoFi Stadium.

The Chargers are mathematically out of playoff contention, with players and coaches fighting for their jobs while the Falcons are auditioning for their next head coach and general manager.

Offensively, Los Angeles is coming off their worst performance yet, failing to produce anything through the air and on the ground. As a result, they put up a goose egg for the first time this season. Defensively, L.A. continues to be aggressive against the pass, but opposing offenses have had success by pounding the rock.

Meanwhile, Atlanta’s offense has revolved around a passing attack with quarterback Matt Ryan and his two go-to targets, Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones. Jones, however, will be out this weekend with an injury. Defensively, the Falcons have been stout against the run while they’ve struggled to defend the pass.

I expect the Week 14 battle to be a high scoring affair, as both defenses have been suspect this season. However, due to all of the ongoing coaching blunders that the Chargers have been experiencing, especially on special teams, Atlanta will take advantage of their woes. I’ve got Atlanta winning by the score of 28-24.

What do you guys think? Post in the poll below.

3 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 14 opponent, Falcons

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez previews Los Angeles’ Week 14 opponent.

The Chargers are looking to finish strong in the last quarter of the season, as they’re set to go to battle against the Falcons this Sunday.

Here are three things to know about Los Angeles’ Week 14 opponent:

Top passing offense

Like the Chargers, the Falcons are strong through the air. Averaging 270.6 passing yards per game, Atlanta ranks seventh in the NFL. Quarterback Matt Ryan is fourth in passing yards (3,436). Ryan has relied on a dynamic duo that consists of wide receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Despite missing three games this season, Jones has caught 51 passes for 771 yards with three touchdowns, while Ridley is 95 yards away from reaching the 1,000-yard mark.

Subpar defense

The Falcons have struggled to keep opposing offenses from driving down the field this season, as they’re allowing 394.4 yards per game. Even though Atlanta has amassed 17 sacks in their last seven games, the team has had no answer against the pass, allowing 285.3 yards per game, the third-worst in the league. With their strong front seven, the Falcons are 12th in league in run defense, allowing only 109.2 yards per game.

Familiar face

The Chargers have been notorious for letting go of players that go on to having success with their new perspective teams. Among the crop is kicker Younghoe Koo. Back in 2017, Koo beat out Josh Lambo for the starting job. His time with Los Angeles was short lived after he made only 50% of his field goal attempts. Koo wasn’t on a roster in 2018, but’s he has been rock solid for the Falcons since being signed last season. This season, he leads the NFL in points scored. He’s made 32 of 33 field-goal attempts, holding a current streak of 24. Koo has made all seven of his field-goal attempts from 50 yards or more, with a long of 54.

Good opportunity for Chargers QB Justin Herbert to get back on track vs. Falcons

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was bad in Week 13 against the Patriots, but he gets a great matchup in Week 14 against the Falcons.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is having quite the rookie season, as he’s made history and is on his way to shattering more NFL records ever since he took over as the starter back in Week 2.

However, he’s experienced some growing pains the past two performances, failing to complete 60% of his throws and has tossed three interceptions in that span. Last weekend against the Patriots, Herbert failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in his career of 11 games.

The offensive line, of course, is to blame, as Herbert has had very little time to throw. The play-calling has been mediocre, as well. But opposing defenses, particularly New England and Buffalo have done a great job at scheming against him.

Nonetheless, Herbert has a great shot at coming back to life this upcoming Sunday, facing a Falcons defense that has been poor against the pass, allowing the second-most passing yards per game. They also have one of the lowest interception percentages in the NFL.

Heading into this week, Herbert has completed 64.8% of his passes for 3,224 yards and 23 touchdowns, against just nine interceptions. If you own the former Oregon product in one of your fantasy football leagues, I advise you to start him this weekend.

Chargers open up as underdogs to Falcons in Week 14

The Chargers look to show some life in the final quarter of the season.

The Los Angeles Chargers (3-9) are looking to pick up at least couple of wins as they head into the final quarterback of the 2020 season.

Going into this weekend’s contest, the Chargers are currently 2.5-point underdogs to the Atlanta Falcons (4-8) in Week 14 of the regular season, per BetMGM.

Los Angeles is coming off their worst defeat in franchise history, which came by the score of 45-0 to the New England Patriots. The Bolts were outplayed in every phase of the game, including special teams, where they gave up two touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Atlanta lost to the New Orleans Saints for the second time in three weeks. The loss came after obliterating the Las Vegas Raiders by the score of 43-6. While their record may suggest that they’re a bad team, the Falcons haven’t been all that bad in recent weeks.

Sunday’s matchup will begin at 1:25 p.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

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