Falcons vs. Chargers Week 14 Prediction
Two teams simply playing out their final month of the season will meet on Sunday in L.A. where the Chargers will host the Falcons at 4:25 p.m. ET. With the game set as a pick’em what’s the best play for bettors in this non-conference matchup?
Game Snapshot
171 Atlanta Falcons (PK) at 172 Los Angeles Chargers (PK); o/u 49
4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 13, 2020
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
TV: FOX
Atlanta Falcons DFS Spin
Matt Ryan completed 19-of-39 passes for 273 yards and one score in Atlanta’s 21-16 Week 13 loss to New Orleans. Even with Julio Jones (hamstring) healthy and available, Ryan was under duress for a majority of the game, taking three sacks and tossing a single touchdown in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss. New Orleans’ pass rush was effective without Marcus Davenport, keeping Ryan on his toes for a 48.7% completion rate and 7.0 yards per attempt. It was actually par for the course for the Saints’ defensive unit, which has allowed just 8.8 points per game in its last five wins. Ryan will have a softer matchup as a low-end QB1 in Week 14 against the Chargers.
Los Angeles Chargers DFS Spin
Justin Herbert completed 15-of-31 passes for 136 yards and two interceptions in the Chargers’ Week 13 blowout loss to the Patriots. It starts from the top. The Chargers were severely and unsurprisingly out-coached by New England. Coach Bill Belichick has been the best coach in league history against rookie quarterbacks, and today was another masterpiece. The Patriots changed up coverages on defense and created pressure against a backup left tackle. Herbert also watched his special teams allow two touchdowns, give up a 61-yard punt return, pick up three penalties, and field either 10 or 12 players on the field more times than they had 11 players on the field on punts. The Chargers have ranked 23rd or worse in special teams DVOA in every season since 2014, including four seasons of 31st or worse. Herbert has all the upside in the world and the surrounding talent to be a playoff contender as soon as 2021, but this team is fully maxed out under the current regime. That arguably includes ownership as well. Herbert will be a bounceback QB1 against the Falcons in Week 12.
Falcons vs. Chargers Week 14 Prediction
The underdog is 4-0 against the spread in the last four meetings between these two teams while the road squad has cashed four straight times in this series as well. The Falcons are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games against a team with a losing record, are 7-2 against the number in their last nine road games and are 7-2 at the betting window in their last nine games as a road underdog. The Chargers, meanwhile, are just 1-5 against the spread in their last six games versus a team with a losing record, are winless against the spread in their last six games overall and are 14-36-1 at the betting window in their last 51 home games.
NFL WEEK 14 BETTING PREDICTION: ATLANTA FALCONS +1