Giants vs. Falcons
Giants
Another week where the Giants play in prime time? Yikes. At least there’s enough drama in the locker room for the announcers to talk about when RB Saquon Barkley isn’t on the field.
Will the passing game look as awful as last week?
There’s a small sliver of hope that QB Eli Manning will play well against the Falcons because Atlanta has allowed opposing quarterbacks to score an average of 30 fantasy points against them this season. Some of that is due to the quarterbacks they’ve faced running the ball well (Cam Newton and Drew Brees surprisingly), but fantasy aside opposing teams have not scored less than 30 points against them since the season opener. With plenty of time to stay hydrated through IVs heading into Monday night, we should expect WR Odell Beckham Jr. to have a huge game against one of the league’s worst passing defenses. With TE Evan Engram returning, there could be a bit of a drop off in WR Sterling Shepard’s targets, but it’s not like he’ll be irrelevant in this game.
Any reason Barkley won’t be a top five RB?
This matchup is made for RB Saquon Barkley. I’m not going to get too wrapped up in the hype and say we should expect output similar to last week (130 rushing yards, 9 catches for 99 yards), but it’s not crazy to say he has a very good chance of finishing as the top running back this week. Atlanta ranks 26th against running backs in the passing game and second to last at defending against the run.
Are the Giants a streamer consideration this week?
The Giants defense is comparably bad to Atlanta’s, and arguably worse because they showed last week they can get lazy even in the most crucial game of the season. The Giants have been very bad at defending opposing #1 WRs, and I wouldn’t think this week is any different with WR Julio Jones lining up opposite CB Janoris Jenkins. They’ve been better at defending the run, and RB Tevin Coleman has only had one good game on the ground this season, but the Giants are still in the bottom third of NFL run defenses. As always with this team: Expect less and hope for more.
BOOM, BUST, SLEEPER
Boom: RB Saquon Barkley
Bust: WR Sterling Shepard
Sleeper: QB Eli Manning
-Alex Drennan
Falcons
With the Falcons at home, yet again, do you expect QB Matt Ryan to continue to be a top-five QB?
Matt Ryan has been nearly unstoppable at home. The Giants are middle of the pack when it comes to points allowed to QBs. I expect Ryan to find success at home in prime time. Be mindful that his receivers are banged up and that could play a factor in Matt Ryan’s output. Fire him up as a top-end QB1.
With RB Devonta Freeman now on IR, what is the value of RBs Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith?
Each running back is a flex at the least. Until one of them pulls away as the clear leader in the backfield, neither will touch RB2 territory. Ito Smith has been the preferred back near the goal-line, but Tevin Coleman is the presumed starter. Monitor the situation closely. Coleman has been given every opportunity this season with Freeman out, but has yet to put up a big performance. Ito Smith has the ability to overtake him for touches.
With WRs Calvin Ridley and Mohamed Sanu banged up, will Julio Jones struggle?
Sanu did not practice Thursday or Friday. Calvin Ridley was a limited participant Friday. With both banged up, WR Justin Hardy will be in line for more work. Julio Jones could have a hard time gaining separation, if all of the coverage is able to focus on him. The Giants have had a very stingy secondary against WRs this year. If Ridley plays, he will more than likely be limited by injury.
TE Austin Hooper performed well last week. Any chance you roll him out again?
Austin Hooper has put together two solid weeks. The Giants are not as soft against TEs as the Bucs or the Steelers, but the Falcons are going to need some help in the passing game with Sanu and Ridley hurt. You could do a lot worse than Hooper at your TE spot.
Can Atlanta’s defense be a hail mary option this week?
As tempting as it may be to start a defense against QB Eli Manning, I cannot seriously suggest this defense to anyone. I will say they looked better than they had in previous weeks against the Bucs, but no one should be starting this defense.
BOOM/BUST/SLEEPER
Boom: QB Matt Ryan
Bust: WR Calvin Ridley
Sleeper: WR Justin Hardy
-Aaron Rader
good calls on Edelman and Gronk, Mr. Bevins….I see Brady getting it out quick to Edelman, and of course White, to avoid that Bears rush. Why did we let go of Hicks, dammit? lol
Can you guys add the “Game Previews” (and maybe Waiver Wire) as a section under the main navigation bar under articles? I love to read these but sometimes it’s hard to find. Thanks!!