Needing to stop their losing streak and maintain their division lead, the Atlanta Falcons (6-5) host the LA Chargers (7-4). After a thrilling primetime game in which Los Angeles pushed the Baltimore Ravens to their limits, the Chargers travel to Georgia.

Additionally, both teams understand that they need to pick up wins as Kansas City and Detroit continue to distance themselves from the rest of their respective conferences. Closing the gaps could potentially lead to a home game on Wild Card weekend for one of these teams.

Air raid siren

After holding their opponents to fewer than 250 yards passing through the first seven games, the Falcons can’t stop the nosebleed. In three of the last four games, the defense gave up at least 250 yards through the air.

The problems remain obvious and not yet resolved. There is no pass rush. Quarterbacks can sit back and analyze the Falcons from the comfort of the pocket. Nobody in the front seven deserves to be double-teamed. If a rusher hits a double, none of the other defenders can get home anyway. Justin Herbert doesn’t just have to face pressure; Atlanta has to beat him.

Because of his size and ability to scan the field, that extra second means he will try to throw vertically. Secondary school does not produce an ounce of self-confidence. Instead, their completely passive approach unfortunately works well with the weak pass rush. If Atlanta needs to send an extra rusher or two, make sure it happens.

James Blitz supports the offense

No other Chargers player flashes more than Derwin James. This fact could actually be helpful for the Falcons in this game. If Los Angeles sends James, no one else in the entire secondary can fill in for Kyle Pitts.

Pitts automatically has to take the hot read if James sneaks anywhere near the battle line. After his breakout game with 91 yards and two scores against Tampa Bay, Pitts is having a hard time getting into the offensive flow. In his last three games he scored a total of ten targets, six of which he caught for 75 yards.

Whether you can point to a lack of focus or focus, Pitts is gone again. Now he has to not only resurface, but also demand the ball against a defense that has no squad response to cover for him.

forecast

In new Atlanta fashion, the Falcons allow Quentin Johnston to pass them despite playing 15 yards from the ball. Herbert sees Johnston wide open and fires a deep ball. Johnston tries to catch up with him and the ball falls harmlessly to the ground. Despite his athletic ability, Johnston has trouble catching the ball.

As a result, Atlanta will see a steady series of passes from downfield out of the backfield into the slot, with Ladd McConkey downfield and a tight end looking to burst the seam. Impatience will cause Jim Harbaugh to want to increase his aggressiveness. Still, Atlanta makes several crucial plays, deflecting at least four passes and actually intercepting one.

Meanwhile, on offense, the running game is winning the day as the Chargers appear to be busy with Drake London and Darnell Mooney. Granted, the two Atlanta wideouts will combine for 120 yards and a touchdown.

At the same time, Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combine to average 5.3 yards per rush as the Falcons move the ball between the 20s. Add at least ten points from Younghoe Koo (or Riley Patterson) and the Falcons are looking to score in droves.

Kirk Cousins ​​beats Justin Herbert in a shootout early in the game.

Final result
Falcons 32
Chargers 27