Atlanta Falcons - Fantasy News

Panthers at Falcons Start 'Em / Sit 'Em

by Adam Markowitz

12/26/17

NFL

Atlanta Falcons

Austin Hooper

There aren't all that many games on the Week 17 docket that mean a ton for both sides involved, but the duel between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons is an exception to the rule. The Falcons are playing for their playoff lives while the Panthers could finish as high as the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win and some help.

That said, there's no doubt that these two teams are going all out on Sunday to get this victory. There are several players who you should be considered for your Dober Play Cards in this one while there are others still who should definitively be avoided.

Carolina Panthers Week 17 Projected Fantasy Points
Cam Newton: 19.5 PFP
Christian McCaffrey: 13.0 PFP
Devin Funchess: 10.5 PFP
Graham Gano: 8.5 PFP
Jonathan Stewart: 8.0 PFP
Greg Olsen: 7.5 PFP

Atlanta Falcons Week 17 Projected Fantasy Points
Matt Ryan: 15.5 PFP
Julio Jones: 14.5 PFP
Devonta Freeman: 12.5 PFP
Tevin Coleman: 9.5 PFP
Mohamed Sanu: 9.5 PFP
Matt Bryant: 9.0 PFP
Austin Hooper: 7.0 PFP

Start 'Em: Christian McCaffrey (13.0 PFP)
Dober Fantasy Points Per Game: 12.11

The Falcons allow more receptions to opposing running backs than any other team in the NFL, averaging allowing 6.93 receptions per game. Jonathan Stewart surely isn't snaring many of those balls from Cam Newton, but Christian McCaffrey surely will.

Even without a touchdown in this duel, it isn't out of the question that McCaffrey gets 6+ receptions and over 100 all-purpose yards.

Earlier this season against Atlanta, McCaffrey had five catches for 28 yards and rushed for 66 yards. He needed his touchdown to beat his Projected Fantasy Points total that day, but we think he's in for a much bigger day at the office this time around.

Sit 'Em: Cam Newton (19.5 PFP)
Dober Fantasy Points Per Game: 15.60

The bottom line with Cam Newton is that this is a lot of Dober Fantasy Points to rack up in a game that could end with him on the bench. Even though Ron Rivera has said that Newton is going to play all four quarters in this game, there are too many possibilities that could see him put on the bench. If Rivera looks up and sees the Saints blowing out the Buccaneers, there's no reason for Newton to be playing since Carolina would be locked into the No. 5 seed. Alternatively, if Carolina is behind in the fourth quarter by too many points to come back and win, there's no reason to risk him with a playoff game against the Saints or Rams coming up next week.

Even if Newton does play all four quarters, we still aren't overly optimistic about him reaching such a high Projected Fantasy Points total. He has been held to 17.52 Dober Fantasy Points or fewer in three of his last five games, and he has only thrown for 200 yards in one of those five.

Newton can beat us with his legs, but we'll take our chances that he's contained by the Atlanta defense on Sunday.

Start 'Em: Matt Ryan (15.5 PFP)
Dober Fantasy Points Per Game: 14.2

There's no doubt that this has been a frustrating season for Matt Ryan. He has only thrown 19 touchdown passes and may not ultimately get to 4,000 yards passing for the year.

Still, this figures to be a game where Matty Ice shines.

There's no such thing as leaving any bullets in the gun in a do-or-die game, and Ryan isn't anywhere near as bad as his home splits would suggest. He only has seven touchdowns against seven interceptions in seven home games this season, but his first game this year against Carolina was encouraging. The Falcons were beaten 20-17, but Ryan threw for 313 yards and two scores.

Sit 'Em: Austin Hooper (7.0 PFP)
Dober Fantasy Points Per Game: 6.07

The Panthers have allowed just 51 completions to tight ends this season, tied for second-fewest in the NFL. Austin Hooper will surely be helped by Thomas Davis not being in the fold, but even without one of the best cover linebackers in the NFL hunting him down, there is plenty of speed in the second level of the Panthers' defense to cover him.

Hooper hasn't surpassed 7.0 Dober Fantasy Points since November 12, and he needed a touchdown in that game to beat his Projected Fantasy Points total.