Atlanta Falcons

Behind Enemy Lines: A Conversation With BoltBeat.com about the San Diego Chargers-Atlanta Falcons Game

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

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Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) celebrates after he scored a rushing touchdown in the first quarter of their game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons host the San Diego Chargers on Sunday in the Georgia Dome. Since the Falcons don’t have a ton of history playing against the Chargers—the last matchup was in 2012—I’ve decided to go behind enemy lines with BoltBeat.com’s Site Expert Travis Wakeman to gain some more intel.

In an exercise to learn a little bit more about the Chargers, feel free to read up on his questions to me on the Bolt Beat site as well. The Falcons look to be the favorites in this home matchup especially after getting snaked out of a game last week. Can the the Chargers beat the Falcons?

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett (22) reacts after defending a pass during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Q: The Chargers seem to be pretty banged up in the pass defense. Is there any reason why the Falcons won’t be able to rely on their multi-faceted passing attack that incorporates pretty much everyone on the roster?

Travis Wakeman: Chargers fans would like the answer to this question to be “yes”, but Atlanta has one of the top passing attacks in the league and especially in the confines of their own home stadium, this is a very tough matchup for the Chargers’ secondary. Without Jason Verrett, the team is already in a hole, but don’t sleep on Casey Hayward. He’s been one of the best under-the-radar free-agent signings this year and though he’ll be tested in a major way here, he might be up to the task. Still, I’d expect to see Matt Ryan have a solid day moving the ball through the air in this one.My take: As good as the Charger’s pass defense can be, there isn’t a cornerback on the roster that can hang with Julio Jones. Heyward is talented, but he doesn’t have the speed to handle the best wide receiver in the NFL. Outside of that, Ryan just has been varying the targets up to everyone this year extremely efficiently. The Falcons should have the edge here unless they just lay an egg on Sunday.Next: Is Hunter Henry the real deal?

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) runs with the ball after a catch as he is defended by Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward (43) during the first half at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Q: Atlanta has been struggling with tight ends for years now, and this year is no different. Has Hunter Henry been as good as the highlights and stats make him out to be?

Travis Wakeman: Yes, and for other reasons than what you see show up in the box score. He has a terrific pair of hands and seems to catch everything thrown his way. The ball he caught to put San Diego up 7-0 in Week 6 in front of Denver’s Chris Harris was a prime example. It looked like a routine play, but many tight ends in the league are not going to snare that ball. He’s also a talented blocker, meaning he can be an every-down player.

My Take: As good as Hunter Henry is, the Falcons should be able to cover him this week with Keanu Neal, De’Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones all returning at nearly full strength. Paul Worrilow should be back as well for depth and with the likelihood of more base packages due to San Diego’s strengths with two-tight ends or a tight end and a fullback, the Falcons could turn in a solid defensive performance.

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) runs during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Q:  The Chargers have 14 sacks this year and seem to have a very solid pass rush. How do you think they can affect Matt Ryan this week?

Travis Wakeman: The pass rush has improved immensely since Joey Bosa came aboard and if the Chargers are going to get after the passer in this game, it starts with him. If I’m John Pagano, my goal with the pass rush would be to find a way to affect the throws that Matt Ryan makes and see if you can bait him into a mistake or two . Just try to hurry him if that’s all you can do, see if you can distract him from his rhythm. However, only five teams have allowed more sacks than Atlanta so far this season, so the opportunity to rack up some sacks is there.

My Take: Ryan has definitely taken some shots. But for whatever reason, they haven’t affected him as much this year. There are definitely holes along the offensive line, but they aren’t on the edges. It’s been the interior and on blitzes that the Falcons have been weak against pressure. Assuming that the Falcons can hold up in pass protection this week, I’d expect a solid day for Ryan.

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Jatavis Brown (57) gestures from the field during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Q: We all know how good Phillip Rivers and Melvin Gordon are. But who are a couple of guys that you think give San Diego an edge in this matchup?

Travis Wakeman: I go back to what I feel is becoming one of the league’s best rookie classes. Hunter Henry and Joey Bosa will be a handful for the Falcons to deal with in this game, but inside linebacker Jatavis Brown is beginning to make a name for himself. He had 14 tackles and a fumble recovery against Denver, and he has the versatility and athleticism to match up with the Falcons’ running backs in pass coverage. Keep your eyes on Brown in this game.

My Take: Brown is definitely a name to watch for. He’s an instinctual linebacker. However, the Chargers defense hasn’t seen an offense like Atlanta’s yet. They could be in for a rude awakening for how multifaceted the offense really is.

Sep 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) can not come up with a catch against Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (21) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats San Diego 26-22. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Q: This somewhat has the feelings of a trap game. What could be the one thing that San Diego does that the Falcons just can’t stop?

Travis Wakeman: San Diego should plan to attack the middle of the field with their quick, short passing game. Philip Rivers can be a master at this and it helps lead to a huge edge in time of possession, as evidenced against the Broncos. Using plays such as Henry, Tyrell Williams and even running back Dexter McCluster in the short passing game could be something that Atlanta could have trouble with and could lead to the team taking a deep shot on the outside with speedster Travis Benjamin. If Atlanta is able to slow down that aspect of the Chargers’ attack, forcing Rivers to throw the ball to the outside, it could be a long day for the Chargers on the road.

My Take: The Falcons finally have their top three defensive draft picks healthy and ready to start. With their familiarity starting to come this week, they may not gel early. But once those three do gel, it could be a long day for the Chargers.

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