Dave Cokin's NFL Pre-Season Game of the Year!08/29 05:00 PM NFL (277) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (278) ATLANTA FALCONS



Take: 10 Stars (278) ATLANTA FALCONS

Reason: Great spot for the Falcons and I expect them to respond with a big effort. It's Atlanta's home opener, and excitement about this year's team is at a peak right now. Head coach Mike Smith has announced that he is game planning for this contest as though it's a regular season game. The regulars will play through the first half and perhaps well into the third quarter. The Chargers are very talented and I was impressed with the businesslike attitude of this team during my visit to training camp last week. But the offensive line has been very shaky and I don't see their prep for this game being quite at the same level as the Falcons. Don't minimize the coast to coast travel factor, either, as that was huge last year in the NFL. It's all systems go for the Falcons in this game and they're the choice as my NFL Pre-Season Game of the Year!