3 Ways the Atlanta Falcons can upset the Chargers in week nine

3. Mariota must limit his turnovers

It seems obvious the Falcons are going to have to completely implode and Mariota must be completely inept for the Falcons to pivot to rookie Desmond Ridder. It isn’t hard to see that Marcus isn’t capable of running an NFL offense at a high level despite the fact Arthur Smith continues to start the veteran.

As long as the Falcons continue to be competitive it seems obvious they have no interest in benching the veteran despite his consistent turnovers.  At least twice a game you can count on Mariota to either throw the ball at the wrong player or drop the ball to the turf and give the defense a chance.

While there are games like last week against Carolina Atlanta that can get away with these mistakes the Chargers aren’t one of them. Atlanta must run the ball and on Mariota’s few chances to make a play he has to find a way to limit his mistakes this week and be willing to throw the ball away when he is unsure if a play is there. Another two-turnover day from Mariota will be the end of the Falcons in this game and give the Chargers a chance for a get-right game in Atlanta.