LA Chargers (7-3) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
December 1, 2024 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Falcons +1.5; Over/Under: 46.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Chargers and the Atlanta Falcons meet Sunday in NFL action from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here’s an Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Chargers prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Falcons vs Chargers pick.
Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview
The Chargers hit a 3-3 run over their first six games this year, falling to the Steelers, Chiefs and Cardinals during that stretch. Los Angeles fared better in the next four with wins over the Saints, Browns, Titans and Bengals in succession.
In their Monday matchup with the Ravens, the Chargers went into the fourth quarter down 17-16 and eventually lost 30-23 after giving up 13 more points. Justin Herbert threw for 218 yards and had a rush score. Ladd McConkey led the receivers on six grabs for 83 yards.
Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview
Over on the Falcons’ side, they opened the season on a 4-3 run with victories over the Eagles, Saints, Buccaneers and Panthers. Atlanta would then take wins over the Buccaneers and Cowboys before a pair of losses to the Saints and Broncos.
In their latest outing versus Denver on November 17, the Falcons were outscored 21-6 by halftime. Atlanta couldn’t find the scoreboard in the second half and lost 38-6. Kirk Cousins threw for 173 yards, no scores and a pick. Lead receiver Drake London had three catches for 61 yards.
Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Chargers Prediction
I’ll take a stab on the Falcons here. Atlanta has had plenty of time to mull over their disastrous blowout loss to the Broncos, and hopefully the extra prep will do them some good here. The Falcons posted just 226 total yards in that loss (176 passing) with 13 first downs and only 4.0 yards per play. Atlanta has been at 17 or fewer points in three of their last five games. They’ll certainly need to eclipse that total in order to stand a chance here.
As for the Chargers, on Monday they had a hard time getting off the field at crucial moments. Los Angeles gave up 11-of-18 on the Ravens’ third- and fourth down attempts. The Chargers’ own offense was pretty ineffective overall, with 4.8 yards per play and a 5-of-14 success rate on third downs. LA had been scoring pretty consistently during their win streak: 26 or more points in all four games. The good news is that a total in the mid-20s might do it here. That said, I like the Falcons to follow right along for a cover/win. I’d like to see a slightly more favorable line, though.
