Teams always look at wins as rallying points and confidence-builders. For the San Diego Chargers it was a job-saver. Mike McCoy had come under intense scrutiny for the way his Chargers continued to find new ways to lose football games. They finally got selfish and overcame their generosity by defeating the Broncos last Thursday, without some anxious moments, though. The team enjoyed a mini-bye with some down time to marinate in the success before taking on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 7 game is set for Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 4:05 p.m. ET at the Georgia Dome.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
San Diego Chargers +6.5
Atlanta Falcons -6.5
Over/Under 53
Odds Analysis
With two of the three highest scoring teams in the league matching up, this one screams over. The total is the highest on the board for the week and a heavy dose of over betters pushed the total even higher. The teams average a combined 62 points per game, so don’t be surprised to see the number spike a bit more by kickoff. San Diego has played some close games while going 4-2 ATS. The points are tough to pass up.
Injury Report
Travis Benjamin – Sustained a leg injury in the last game and was held out of practice. We don’t yet know how Benjamin will be impacted, but it could be significant for the team if the leading receiver misses the game. Benjamin is also the team’s punt returner and his injury could affect special teams, though Dexter McCluster is a quality replacement.
Derrick Shelby – The Falcons lost their starting defensive end to an Achilles injury last game. The free agent signee helped stabilize a shaky defense and was pivotal in helping the Falcons improved pass rush. Atlanta had been rotating defensive linemen during games throughout the season and the loss seriously affects their depth.
Matchup to Watch
The tight end spot has always been a big part of the Chargers offense with Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates building a special bond that has allowed Gates to become one of the best at his position. But Gates, an eight-time Pro-Bowler, is getting up there in age and the injuries are more common and take more time to heal. Looking to the future, the Chargers drafted Hunter Henry in the second round and the rookie has had to learn on the go with Gates nursing a hamstring injury. No worries, Henry has filled in admirably. He had another impressive outing against Denver with six catches, including a touchdown, for 83 yards on eight targets. He has a scoring grab in three straight games and has meshed with Rivers in the offense.
Don’t take Gates out of the picture just yet. The veteran can still play and is working his way back into the lineup. And the scary part is, the Chargers will be more effective in two-tight end formations when opposing defenses have to account for both. Gates will still command attention and Henry has blossomed in an increased role. San Diego will likely use both players against Atlanta’s defense that has struggled to defend tight ends this season. Seattle’s Jimmy Graham caught a team-high six passes on nine targets for 89 yards Sunday.
Free ATS Pick
It’s hard to know if the Falcons are much better than last season’s team that started to crumble around this time. One thing is certain, the defense appears to be much stronger and the team has played, and beaten, some of the top clubs in the league. So that leads me to believe Atlanta might be a playoff contender. They showed plenty of spirit with a comeback Sunday but were denied a chance to win in Seattle thanks to a sketchy non-call. It looks like Atlanta is the real deal and a bounce back from a tough loss to the Seahawks will prove that point.
Until the Chargers string a few victories together, it’s hard to take them seriously. They make things interesting even in their wins, gifting the Broncos a chance to tie last week’s game by failing to recover an onside kick. In the end it worked out, but not before some tense moments. San Diego is used to playing close games and losing a majority of them. Sunday will be no different, but the spread is tough to pass up.
NFL Odds: Falcons 31, Chargers 28
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