Los Angeles Chargers vs. Atlanta Falcons Preview
This Sunday, the Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) are set to clash with the Atlanta Falcons (6-5) at 1 p.m. EST, with the game broadcasting on CBS. The Chargers enter the matchup as 1.5-point favorites according to BetMGM NFL Odds. Historically, the Falcons lead the series against the Chargers with a record of 8-4.
When it comes to betting against the spread, the Chargers hold a record of 7-3-1, while the Falcons sit at 5-6. The last time these two teams met was on November 6, 2022, when the Chargers narrowly defeated the Falcons 20-17 in Atlanta. In their most recent games, the Chargers lost to the Ravens 30-23, while the Falcons enjoyed a bye after suffering a heavy 38-6 defeat against the Denver Broncos on November 17.
Looking at the Chargers’ overall offensive stats, they currently rank 21st in the league with their rushing attack at 13th, passing game at 20th, and scoring at 18th. On defense, the Chargers have performed better, ranking 13th overall with a top-10 effort against both rush (10th) and pass (10th) offenses, and they rank 13th in scoring defense. Conversely, the Falcons boast a well-rounded offense, ranking 8th overall, but their defense has struggled, sitting at 25th overall and 26th in scoring.
In terms of player performances, Chargers running back Gus Edwards is a key player to watch. With starting running back J.K. Dobbins out due to a knee injury, Edwards may take over as the lead back. He recently returned from an ankle injury, and in the loss to Baltimore, he managed nine carries for 11 yards and a touchdown.
On the Falcons side, look out for wide receiver Drake London, who has made 61 receptions so far. He needs just four more catches to become the first player in Atlanta’s history to achieve at least 65 receptions in each of his first three seasons. Currently, he has accumulated 710 receiving yards and is aiming for 850 yards to align with the same historic milestone.
A critical matchup to watch will be Falcons running back Bijan Robinson versus the Chargers’ run defense. Robinson had a challenging outing against the Broncos, where he was held to just 35 yards on 12 carries, leading to an ineffective Atlanta offense. The Chargers, being ranked 10th against the run, will provide a tough challenge for the Falcons as they try to establish their running game with both Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. A strong ground attack could allow Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson, to set up effective play-action passes for quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Injury lists are an important factor to note going into this game. J.K. Dobbins sustained a knee injury during the first half against the Ravens, with further details lacking from coach Jim Harbaugh. The Falcons welcome the bye week, which provides a chance for their injured players to recuperate. Notably, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (neck) did not practice on Wednesday. Several players like Darnell Mooney (Achilles), Kevin King (concussion), and Zach Harrison (knee, Achilles) were limited at practice, contributing to a long injury list for the Falcons. Other players, including Mike Hughes (neck) and Dee Alford (hamstring), were also limited after previously sitting out against Denver.
Historically, the Chargers have seen success in recent meetings, having won the last three matchups after enduring six straight losses to the Falcons from 1991 until 2012. Their most notable victory included a 33-30 overtime win in 2016, followed by two narrow wins in 2020 and 2022.
On the statistics front, both teams have made strides primarily against weaker competition within the NFC South. Atlanta boasts a 4-1 record against division rivals, while Los Angeles holds a 2-0 record against teams from the NFC South this season. Impressively, the Chargers have maintained a four-game winning streak against their division. However, the Falcons have struggled against AFC West teams, currently sitting at 0-2 after losses against Kansas City and Denver. They will face the Raiders next on December 16 to complete their AFC West matchups. It’s worth noting that the Falcons, despite leading their division, are currently the only first-place team with a negative points differential, having been outscored 274-244 on the season.
For fantasy owners, the absence of Dobbins, who has recorded eight rushing touchdowns, could place additional pressure on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and the passing game. Herbert has shown a strong connection with wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who has racked up four touchdown receptions along with 49 catches and 698 yards. As he returns to his home state, McConkey may find himself in a favorable matchup against a Falcons defense that is struggling, currently ranked 26th against the pass.