2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 9

Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) at Atlanta Falcons (4-4)

Sunday, November 6, 1:00 PM ET

The Atlanta Falcons have become increasingly difficult to predict on a weekly basis as far as NFL picks are concerned. The Falcons have one of the best offenses in the NFL, ranking 6th in the league in points per game at 25.0. The Falcons can definitely score the ball, a testament to the work being done by head coach Arthur Smith and his staff.

On Sunday, they came inches away from being 3-5 instead of 4-4 with the Carolina Panthers simply unable to make a couple of kicks in both regulation and overtime. It was sad for the Panthers, but the Falcons won’t complain about waking up every day this week in sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

Considering what people expected of this team coming into the 2022 season, you’ve got to tip your cap to Smith and the job he’s done with Marcus Mariota under center. Mariota looks reborn, even if he’s not lighting up defenses with his passing.

The Chargers are coming off of a bye week but teams out west traveling east to play in the early window? That’s tough no matter if you’re coming off of a bye or not. We’ll see if the Chargers can get some key players back from injury in this game to give them a boost against one of the league’s top offenses, but this game could wind up being a shootout.

If a shootout is what we get, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Justin Herbert as the last one standing, regardless of how healthy the Chargers may or may not be.

Prediction: Chargers win 34-27