Two teams vying to bolster their playoff chances will meet Sunday in Atlanta 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 last two games. The Falcons are aiming for their first winning season and first playoff appearance since 2017. A win on Sunday would go a long way toward achieving 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 well-deserved bye week, quarterback Kirk Cousins and the rest of the Falcons understand what lies ahead. “We all had a great opportunity to recharge our batteries and fill our tanks for this long run here,” Cousins said. “You have six games left and we have to earn the right to play a seventh. You talk about the ‘why’ behind everything. Why are we where we are, good or bad, and then how do we fix it? … It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another to go out and do it. That’s what’s so important about the next six weeks, that we take what we’ve gathered on our vacation and do it. put it to good use during the first one. year of a four-year, $180 million contract in Atlanta, has totaled 2,807 yards, which ranks fifth in the NFL. The 36-year-old veteran is using this part of the season to. examine where the team fits in the queue. “You definitely have to put yourself in position before Thanksgiving to be able to play for something meaningful afterward,” Cousins said. “We’re in a place where we can control our destiny, what if. we go out and run at a high level, we can go wherever we want to go. I’ve been on teams where you weren’t chasing. around Thanksgiving, and it’s a tough place to be. But no one will give us anything, we have to go and earn it. » If the final six weeks go as planned, 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 Los Angeles Chargers, a team with their own playoff aspirations. Under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers (7-4) occupy the second wild card spot in the AFC, sandwiched between the 8-4 Baltimore Ravens and the 7- 5. Each team has an advantage over the 5-6 Miami Dolphins, who are out of the current picture. After starting the year 3-3, the Chargers won four straight before losing at home Monday to the Ravens, 30-23. In a battle between Jim and his brother John, Los Angeles squandered a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. Making matters worse, running back JK Dobbins suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee in the loss and is expected to be out this week. It is considered week to week beyond that. Chargers running backs Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins will try to make up for the absence of Dobbins, who has totaled 766 yards and eight touchdowns this season. “I like them a lot,” Harbaugh said of Los Angeles’ running backs. “Gus is heating up, it’s great to have him there. Hassan is really playing spectacular football, special teams, pass protection, he had some crucial pickups for us on first down downfield. .. Glad to see them out there The Chargers defense has been outstanding this season, allowing an NFL-high 15.9 points per game However, Harbaugh knows not to overlook Cousins. “(Kirk) is just a consummate pro,” Harbaugh said. “He’s always good in every game. He has talent, excellent sense of the game. He is super tough, competitive every time. Nothing but respect.” Cousins’ counterpart, Justin Herbert, totaled 2,404 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception for Los Angeles. Along with Dobbins, linebackers Khalil Mack (rest) and Denzel Perryman (groin), safety Alohi Gilman (hamstring), cornerback Cam Hart (ankle) and tight end Will Dissly (groin) did not practice Wednesday for the Chargers. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney (Achilles) and cornerbacks Dee Alford (hamstring) and Mike Hughes (neck) were among 12 players limited in practice Wednesday –Field level media.
