(Photo: Lineups)
Intriguing Game- NFL, Week 13
Los Angeles Chargers at Atlanta Falcons
Chargers: In the first half of that game on Monday night, they looked dominant early on and were running the football very effectively against a Ravens team that has been the best in the league at stopping the run this year. Then came the second half and they struggled, including the defense falling apart in the second half. I will give them credit as they did a strong job of containing Derrick Henry and dared Lamar to beat them. One thing I always say is that the team with the best adjustments at the half will always come out on top and win the football game. They struggled to contain Derrick and one thing I will say to the Chargers is don’t feel bad because he runs how he did on Monday night against many teams, you aren’t the first and you won’t be the only. I like the identity of this Charger team for several reasons with the first being a physical bunch. This group prides itself on punching the opponent in the mouth on both sides of the ball and if you know anything about Jim Harbaugh, he will make any team take after his identity. Despite the loss on Monday night, they are still in a nice position to clinch a spot in the postseason. This is the best scoring defense in all of football and the offense does just enough to move the ball up and down the field. This Sunday, they will face the leaders of the NFC South in Atlanta.
Falcons: Just a few weeks ago, I was singing their praises. I had been impressed with what I had seen from them and they appeared to be running away with the division at one point. The NFC South isn’t anything to brag about with the Buccaneers dealing with injuries to key guys, the Panthers play hard, but they still struggle and the Saints have found some mojo after deciding to fire Dennis Allen in the season. This is theirs to lose at this point. Not at all. I watched them fumble an opportunity against the New Orleans Saints in a close divisional showdown and the following week, they were embarrassed at the hands of the Denver Broncos. The worst thing they could do is settle and get comfortable, especially with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still on their heels which means the division is still up for grabs. The Falcons signing Kirk Cousins is looking better than many expected and I feel Kirk gets too much of a bad rap, especially when he was in Minnesota. There would be times when he would march the Vikings down the field and they’d score, then his defense would give up the lead and he’d get the blame which always led me to say he never played defense. When this Atlanta defense is clicking, they’re tough with the weapons they have in Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts. The bye week is over and they will return back to the field on Sunday for a showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Chargers X-Factor: Ladd McConkey– He’s become Justin’s number one target this year and each time the ball hits his hands, he finds a way to move very well after the catch. What Puka Nacua is to the Los Angeles Rams is what Ladd is to this Chargers offense. You don’t see many of the smaller receivers earning their living over the middle these days, that can’t be applied to Ladd. He’s a shifty receiver who knows how to move his way around a defender to get where he wants. He made several big catches for the Georgia Bulldogs and he’s doing the same for Harbaugh in the NFL.
Falcons X-Factor: Justin Simmons– He’s criminally underrated and deserves to be talked about much more. If that football is thrown in his vicinity, believe he’s coming away with it and will also look to take it to the end zone. Justin has such a great eye to spy the Quarterback along with the instincts to make that play upon the football. He just happens to be in the right spot at the right time. This is someone that the Chargers must know where he is at all times because he can damage your offensive gameplay if you overlook him. Justin is one of the best Safeties in the league.
Final Thoughts: Both teams enter this game in a must-win situation. The worst thing the Chargers can do is go on a losing streak and the same can applied to the Falcons as well. The Chargers enter this game on a short week and travel across the country which is difficult for many West Coast teams and the Falcons are coming off their bye week on a two-game losing streak. I’ll be watching the L.A. defense against this Atlanta passing attack which is currently ranked fifth in the league. Applying pressure on Kirk Cousins will be key in this game for the Chargers and Kirk isn’t mobile at all, but he can still sling the ball up and down the field. The next key is to contain both Drake London and Darnell Mooney. This secondary must be on the same page and not allow these two receivers to go off and lastly, get their offense humming again, especially in the second half. Football is a tale of two halves. On the Falcons’ side, they must force the Chargers to be a one-dimensional football team whether it’s stopping their rushing attack or preventing Herbert from pushing the ball up the field in the passing game and if you force them to be one-dimensional, you can change your looks defensively such as dropping more guys back in coverage. Next, the Falcons better attack Justin Herbert and finish the sack! If you look at the tape of the Chargers last game against the Ravens, Baltimore was able to sack him four times and they could’ve had at least three or four more, but he was able to move out of it and keep the play alive. Containment will be your best friend and lastly, keep Cousins protected at all costs. This could be a fun game on Sunday in the A. I like the Chargers to win a big game on the road.
Prediction: Chargers 26, Falcons 21
