NFL Week 7 Predictions: San Diego Chargers vs. Atlanta Falcons 10/23/16

Chargers vs. Falcons Prediction

Are the Chargers one of the better underdog plays in Week 7? They'll visit the high-flying Falcons at 4:05PM ET today.

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Falcons are now 5.5-point home favorites versus the Chargers after opening as a 6.5-point favorite earlier in the week. As for the total, the number opened at 50.5 but has shot all the way up to 54 points.

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According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Chargers receiver Travis Benjamin is expected to play versus the Falcons today. Benjamin might not be 100 percent, but he should be in uniform. San Diego is 8-1 against the spread in its last nine road games, is 4-0 at the betting window in its last four games versus a team with a winning record, and is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games overall.

As for the Falcons, Mohamed Sanu (groin) will play against the Chargers but defensive end Derrick Shelby was placed on injured reserve earlier this week with a torn Achilles' tendon. Shelby now joins linebacker Sean Weatherspoon as Atlanta defenders that the team has had to place on injured reserve over the last three weeks. The Falcons are just 2-6 against the spread in their last eight home games.

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OUR PREDICTION: Philip Rivers has fared well against the defensive scheme that Atlanta employs. Rivers torched Seattle for 455 yards and two scores when current Jaguars head coach and former Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was running the defense in 2010. Rivers also dominated the Jaguars in the last three years, including a four-touchdown game in Week 2. The Falcons offense is explosive but the defense remains a work in progress. Look for Rivers to keep the Chargers in the game throughout.

 

NFL WEEK 7 PREDICTION: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS +5.5