Chargers vs Falcons Picks & Odds: NFC South-leading Atlanta a Home Underdog

Despite taking sole possession of first place in the NFC South last week, the Atlanta Falcons (4-4 SU, 6-2 ATS) are listed as small home underdogs at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark for Sunday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3, 4-3).

The Falcons have failed to cover the spread in their last two games after Sportsbook the season at 6-0 ATS, while the Chargers are coming off their bye week but still dealing with injuries.

Bet On Chargers vs Falcons Here

Chargers vs Falcons Sportsbook Odds

The only real line movement on this game so far has involved the total, which is up to 49.5 in early betting action. Both of these teams saw high-scoring affairs in their last games, the latest being Atlanta’s 37-34 overtime victory against the Carolina Panthers. Prior to that, Los Angeles fell to the Seattle Seahawks 37-23 in Week 7 before its bye. The lack of defense for both of these teams lately has led bettors to side with the OVER.

Get the best Chargers vs Falcons odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Los Angeles Hoping to Ride Ekeler to Win Off Bye

The Chargers lost wide receiver Mike Williams for at least four weeks due to a high-ankle sprain and hope to have fellow wideout Keenan Allen back sometime soon. But there is no guarantee that Allen will suit up even after the bye, setting up quarterback Justin Herbert to find different options in the passing game.

One of those could be Josh Palmer, who suffered a concussion before the bye but could be ready to return. Even with a limited passing attack, Herbert has running back Austin Ekeler to help him out. Ekeler ran the ball nine times for 31 yards and caught 12 passes for 96 yards with two touchdowns vs Seattle, proving his worth as a valuable safety valve for Herbert.    

Atlanta’s Defense Will Face More Lethal Offense in Week 9

Injuries aside, the Chargers still have a much more dangerous offense than the Panthers, which should put the Falcons on high alert. Defensively, Atlanta has to be better and somehow find a way to hold Ekeler in check.

Ekeler is a much different back than Carolina’s D’Onta Foreman, who rushed 26 times for 118 yards and scored three touchdowns last week. The Falcons have made some positive plays with their defense at times, including an interception return for a touchdown last week. The problem, though, is similar to that of the offense led by quarterback Marcus Mariota – the unit is simply too inconsistent.

Chargers: Keys To Victory

The Los Angeles defense must make Mariota throw the ball in order to win this game and cover the spread. The Chargers will score points offensively, but they need to slow down Atlanta’s ground game and force the Falcons to try to keep up with them on the scoreboard. The Cincinnati Bengals were able to do that, so the blueprint has been set.

Falcons: Keys To Victory

Atlanta can keep winning by continuing to play the way it has to get atop the division. Head coach Arthur Smith has done a masterful job instilling a strong rushing attack no matter who is in the offensive backfield. Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) is eligible to return this week from IR too, potentially giving the Falcons back their best runner. If that happens, they will be in great shape offensively and could dictate the tempo even more.

NFL Computer Pick: Falcons +3

Check out more of our signature NFL computer picks, plus our favorite sportsbooks that serve football customers. 

Join A Top-Tier NFL Betting Site Now