By Around the NFL staff
NFL.com
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Week 7 of the NFL season is upon us, and that means it’s time for another round of bold predictions. As always, this week’s edition of fearless prognostications includes a macho helping of audaciousness and abandon as we head into Sunday and Monday’s contests. Warning: these predictions are not for the faint of heart.

Falcons and Chargers combine for 65-plus points in shootout

It’s taken me six weeks to believe that the Falcons might be for real. The statistics are difficult to ignore. Atlanta leads the league in total offense (441.5 yards per game, 33.2 points per game), thanks to its potent mix of a passing game, led by receivers Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, and running attack with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. They’ll look to rack up points against San Diego’s defense, which falls in the lower half of teams in the league at 18th overall (363.2 yards per game allowed). But on the other side of the field reside Philip Rivers and a Chargers offense that ranks 14th in the league at 368 yards per game, a deceiving stat considering San Diego is third in scoring (28.8 points per game). San Diego’s offense will face an Atlanta defense that ranks 24th in the league. This matchup screams points explosion.

Rivers and Matt Ryan engage in an air show, putting up big numbers in an offensive display to remember, combining for 65-plus points in a shootout. Will San Diego, which is the best in the league in longest time owning a lead, be able to hang on for a victory? Or will this contest be a back-and-forth affair that comes down to the final possession? We’ll leave it to Sunday to see who comes out on top. One thing is for sure: We’ll see plenty of trips to the end zone, and hopefully just as many league-approved celebrations.

— Nick Shook

To read the full bold predictions from the Around the NFL writers, click here.