Two teams vying to bolster their postseason chances will meet in Atlanta on Sunday when the Falcons host the Los Angeles Chargers.
Atlanta (6-5) still holds a one-game lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South, despite dropping its past two games. The Falcons are seeking their first winning season and playoff appearance since 2017. A win Sunday would go a long way in accomplishing both.
Two weeks ago, Atlanta lost 38-6 on the road to the Denver Broncos. The offense managed just 226 total yards, while producing its lowest point total of the season. The Falcons’ defense didn’t fare much better, as the unit was gashed by rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who threw four touchdowns.
After a much-needed bye week, quarterback Kirk Cousins and the rest of the Falcons understand what’s ahead.
“We’ve all had a great chance to recharge and refill the tanks for this stretch run here,” Cousins said. “You have six games left and we have to earn the right to go play a seventh. You talk about the ‘whys’ behind everything. Why are we where we are, good or bad, and then how to fix it? … It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another thing to go do it. That’s what’s so important about the next six weeks, that we take what we gathered on the bye and put it to use.”
Cousins, in the first year of a four-year, $180 million contract in Atlanta, has thrown for 2,807 yards — good for fifth in the NFL. The 36-year-old veteran uses this part of the season as a time to examine where the team is entering the tail end.
“You certainly need to put yourself in a position before Thanksgiving to be playing for something meaningful after,” Cousins said. “We’re in a place where we can control our destiny, and that if we go out and execute at a high level, we can go where we want to go. I’ve been on teams where you weren’t in the hunt around Thanksgiving, and that’s a tough place to be. But no one is going to give us anything, you’ve got to go earn it.”
If the final six weeks go according to plan, Cousins would become the first Falcons quarterback since Matt Ryan in 2008 to lead the team to the playoffs in his first year.
Standing in Atlanta’s way are the Chargers, a team with its own postseason aspirations.
Under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers (7-4) hold the second AFC wild-card spot, sandwiched between the 8-4 Baltimore Ravens and 7-5 Broncos. Each team has an advantage over the 5-7 Miami Dolphins, who are out of the current picture.
After starting the year 3-3, the Chargers won four games in a row before dropping their home game Monday to the Ravens, 30-23. In a battle between Jim and his brother John Harbaugh, Los Angeles squandered a 10-0 second-quarter lead. Making matters worse, starting running back J.K. Dobbins suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee in the loss, and he will sit out this week. He is considered week-to-week beyond that.
Chargers backup running backs Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins will try to account for the absence of Dobbins, who’s rushed for 766 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
“I like them a lot,” Harbaugh said of Los Angeles’ running backs. “Gus is heating back up, great to have him in there. Hassan is really playing spectacular football, special teams, pass protection, he’s had some crucial first-down pickups for us in short-yardage. … I’m excited to see them out there.”
The Chargers’ defense has been outstanding this season, allowing an NFL-best 15.9 points per game. However, Harbaugh knows not to discount Cousins.
“(Kirk) is just the consummate pro,” Harbaugh said. “Consistently good every game. He’s got a knack, a great feel for the game. He’s super tough, competitive as they come. Nothing but respect.”
Cousins’ counterpart Justin Herbert has thrown for 2,404 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception for Los Angeles.
Along with Dobbins, linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin), safety Alohi Gilman (hamstring) and cornerback Cam Hart (ankle) will not play for the Chargers on Sunday. Tight end Will Dissly (groin) was a full participant at Friday’s practice and is clear to play, while linebacker Daiyan Henley picked up a calf injury, sat out Friday and was termed questionable.
For Atlanta, only cornerback Mike Hughes (neck) and backup running back Jase McClellan (knee) were ruled out on Friday’s practice report. Kicker Younghoe Koo was limited in Thursday’s practice and a full participant Friday while dealing with a right hip issue, and he is considered questionable to play.
