San Diego Chargers
vs.
Atlanta Falcons
Week 7
NFL Pick
10/23/16
Week 7 has one of the top matchups to watch if you’re interested in seeing a lot of points put up on the board. Atlanta holds the NFL’s top offense. They have really been scary good and are potentially one pass interfereNCe call away from being just a one-loss team. San Diego has not been near as good, sitting at 2-4, but they are coming off a resounding Thursday-night win over division rival Denver. The Chargers are a 6.5-point underdog and the total is listed as a Week 7-high 55.
San Diego has shown the propensity to score; they just haven’t been able to finish teams off to win Games. The Chargers have scored 21 or more in every Game this season, and now they will go up against on of the NFL’s worst passing defenses. Atlanta ranks 24th in yards allowed per Game and 26th in passing yards allowed per Game.
Meanwhile, Phillip Rivers is throwing for about 275 yards per Game and has protected the football well, throwing 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He is completing over 67% of his passes for 8.19 yards per attempt. The Falcons are surrendering a 68.5% completion percentage — 29th in the league. Watch for Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams and Hunter Henry to be involved early and often.
Atlanta has been similar in putting up good offensive numbers, but they’ve beaten teams in more ways to this point. The Falcons have scored at least 23 points in every Game. They will be going up against a San Diego defense that ranks 18th in total yards per Game allowed and 24th in passing yards allowed per Game. That’s bad news for what they’ll see with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones.
Ryan is throwing for nearly 350 yards per Game. He has also thrown 15 touchdowns against only three interceptions. Julio Jones, of course, has been his main target and leads the NFL entering Week 7 in receiving yards. Tevin Coleman is used as the backup running back, but he’s also getting involved in the passing Game, averaging over 50 yards per Game through the air.
Devonta Freeman has been good as well, averaging 75 yards per Game on the ground. He’s been covering 5.0 yards per carry and has reached the end zone twice via the run.
Bettorsworld Pick – Falcons -6.5 and OVER 55