Atlanta Falcons

Speaking With the Enemy: Chargers vs. Falcons

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The San Diego Chargers will have had 11 days to prepare for a road trip to face the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s top-ranked offense in Week 7.

If the Chargers can find a way to beat Atlanta, they’ll love to 3-4 on the season and be right back in the thick of the hunt with a key game coming up in Denver in Week 8. But first things first, let’s talk about the Falcons.

Atlanta is 4-2 on the year and is coming off an impressive performance in Seattle in which a late non-call on what appeared to be blatant pass interference penalty may have prevented them from being 5-1. But for the Falcons, the offense has been piling up the yardage and the points on the year as quarterback Matt Ryan is putting together an MVP-caliber season.

Though the teams don’t play often, the Falcons are a team that the Chargers have historically struggled mightily against. In fact, the only time San Diego ever beat Atlanta was way back in 1988, a 10-7 victory. Atlanta has won the last six games between the teams, including back-to-back victories in San Diego.

For more insight into the Falcons and what we can expect in this game, I spoke to Scott Carasik of Blogging Dirty and had him answer a series of questions from me.

Read on to see his answers to each.

Oct 16, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Q: Let’s suppose San Diego plans to come into this game and air it out against Atlanta’s 26th ranked pass defense. Denver forced the Chargers to kick 4 field goals last Thursday, so will Atlanta rely on a “bend but don’t break” defensive approach, or do you feel that the Falcons will be able to shut down San Diego’s passing attack?

A: “This is a great question. Because this is all about matchups. The bulk of the Chargers’ passing game comes from their No. 1 and No. 2 wide receivers. Fortunately for Atlanta, the Falcons have a pair of top-notch cornerbacks to help prevent completions on the outside. Where the Chargers will see their best success is up the middle to tight ends and to their running backs.

My Take: First off, I’ll point out that Scott knows his Atlanta Falcons. He follows this team very closely, so if he says Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant are “top notch”, I’ll take his word for it. Actually, they are pretty good. Throw in rookie safety Keanu Neal, and this team has built quite the secondary. I can still see Philip Rivers finding success throwing the football in this game and I believe that Alford can be beat, but the status of Travis Benjamin could be a key factor. Benjamin is currently listed as questionable for the game with a knee injury, but he did return to practice on Friday, which is a good sign.

Next: Kyle Shanahan's Game Plan

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Q: Put yourself in the shoes of Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. What would be your offensive game plan for this game?

A: “There’s two guys that I don’t think the Chargers can truly stop. That’s Julio Jones and Tevin Coleman. As good as Jatavis Brown and Denzel Perryman are, neither of them has the speed to trail Coleman in the passing game. And at corner, Flowers and Mager just don’t have the talent to keep up with arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in Jones.

My Take: I agree that the running backs should be a focal point of Atlanta’s offensive game plan and if you don’t think Tevin Coleman can be a factor in the passing game, go back and re-watch the Falcons-Broncos game.

Brandon Flowers will not play in this game but the name Casey Hayward should be mentioned. He’s having a terrific season and should be counted on heavily. I also think that any Falcons fans who may see Jatavis Brown as someone the Falcons are going to have their way with could be in for a big surprise.

Next: Chargers players who could scare Atlanta?

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) runs after a catch before the game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Q: The Chargers have dealt with a bevy of injuries this season, but is there any particular player on the Chargers roster that you feel could give this Falcons team trouble?

A: “The players that I thought could give the Falcons the most trouble before the season were Danny Woodhead and Jason Verrett. With them out, I think Hunter Henry and Melvin Gordon are the names to watch for on offense for San Diego. The receivers don’t scare me and wouldn’t have scared me regardless because of how talented Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant are.

My Take: No one on the defense is scary? That sounds like bulletin-board material to me. For a team that has given up 15 sacks on the season, I’d be a little afraid of Joey Bosa, who has shown quite well for himself in two games. If I want to establish a running game with Devonta Freeman, I’d probably be a little worried about Brandon Mebane. These are two guys I would have mentioned, but perhaps the Falcons have a right not to be afraid? After all, they are the home team and have the better record.

Next: Falcons Players Under the Radar?

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme (83) celebrates his touchdown catch in the first quarter of their game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Q: We all know what Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are capable of, but tell us about a player on the Falcons roster that the common fan may not be aware of that could have an impact on this game.

A: “I’ve already mentioned Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, but the guys to watch out for is the three-headed monster the Falcons like to use at tight end of Jacob Tamme, Austin Hooper and Levine Toilolo. Atlanta has gone through a ton of trouble to incorporate three tight-end sets into the gameplan more and more this season and all three of these guys have big plays and touchdowns.

My Take: I agree completely with the choices here. The Falcons don’t get enough credit for the weapons they have on offense, particularly because Jones is so good. But the tight ends, particularly Tamme, can make some plays. However, the Chargers have allowed just 4.1 receptions per game this season to the tight end position.

Beasley has turned things around this year after a disappointing rookie season and has 4.5 sacks on the year, but all but one of those came in one game against the Broncos.

Next: Prediction

Oct 16, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo (80) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Seattle Seahawks with wide receiver Julio Jones (11) and quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Q: Finally, let’s get a prediction from ya. Who wins this game, and why?

A: “The game is in Atlanta, and I think it’s a good matchup for the Falcons. The offense should go off for 35-plus and the defense should be able to prevent more than 28 points. The Falcons should win this one.”

My Take: Short, but sweet. And it’s hard to argue those points. The Falcons are capable of scoring 35 points and the Chargers have never won in Atlanta. Can San Diego win a shootout on the road?