Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 1st, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Network: CBS
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: Start, QB1
Justin Herbert disappointed fantasy managers in a juicy matchup Monday Night against the Ravens, failing to throw a touchdown pass, but still finished as QB12 on the week thanks to a rushing score. This recent boost in rushing production has vaulted the Chargers QB to an every-week starter. Since week 8, Herbert has averaged 35 rushing yards per game vs. only 5.6 rushing yards per game in weeks 1-7. Herbert has at least 29 rushing yards in four of his last five games, along with two rushing scores. The passing volume has also increased, with Herbert attempting 36 passes in back-to-back weeks after surpassing this number only once in the first ten weeks of the season. This increased usage through the air and on the ground has significantly raised Herbert’s floor, which has translated into strong fantasy production, finishing as a QB1 in five straight weeks. Herbert should be able to make that six straight weeks as he gets another dream matchup against the Falcons, who just allowed 307 passing yards and four touchdown passes to Bo Nix. With an implied total of 47.5, the fourth highest of the week, Herbert has a top-5 ceiling this week in a potential shootout.
Running Back
J.K. Dobbins: Start, RB2
Gus Edwards: Sit, RB4 (Start, RB2 if Dobbins is out)
J.K. Dobbins unfortunately suffered a knee injury in his return to Baltimore, leaving the game late in the 2nd quarter. The severity of the injury is unknown, but given his history, this development is worrisome for fantasy managers. Dobbins has been fantastic this season, posting RB14 or better numbers in 6/11 games, and was well on his way to another strong performance, with nearly nine PPR points against the Ravens in less than one half of football. If Dobbins is active, you start him. Gus Edwards will be a popular waiver add this week, given his chance to be the lead back in week 13 and potentially beyond. Edwards has looked much better after returning from the IR in week 10, although he struggled vs. the Ravens, rushing nine times for 11 yards. However, he did score a touchdown and should see enough volume with a goal-line role in Dobbins’ absence to provide low-end RB2 numbers.
Wide Receiver
Ladd McConkey: Start, WR2
Quentin Johnston: Sit, WR5
The 2024 draft tied a record with seven wide receivers drafted in the first round, but it’s Ladd McConkey, the WR9 off the board, who currently leads all rookie WRs in receiving through 12 weeks. Ladd has been the prime beneficiary of Herbert’s increased pass volume in recent weeks and is the clear focal point in this Charger’s passing attack. Since week 8, the Chargers rookie has accounted for 21.9% of targets, 27.8% of receptions, 34.9% of receiving yards, and 39.6% of receiving first downs. During this stretch, Ladd is averaging 16.1 PPR points per game, which ranks as the WR13 overall. McConkey is firmly in WR2 territory in a smash matchup vs. Atlanta with top-10 upside if he finds the end zone. With no teams on bye in week 13, there is no reason to be starting Quentin Johnston, even in a great matchup. QJ has had a surprisingly productive second year after a disastrous rookie campaign, thanks to his ability to find the end zone, scoring six times in nine games. However, week 12 reminded us just how low the floor can be, with Johnston delivering a goose egg on five targets, including three drops.
https://twitter.com/FantasyPtsData/status/1861459828083720505
Tight End
Will Dissly: Sit, TE2
The tight end position is surprisingly deep at the moment with Taysom Hill, Cade Otton, and Jonnu Smith becoming must-start options in recent weeks. This leaves Will Dissly ranked outside the top 12 options for the week, but if you’re stuck starting him, there is no need to panic. Dissly played 75% of snaps against the Ravens last week, catching four balls for 47 yards. This is the sixth time in seven games Dissly has caught at least four passes, providing a very respectable floor. In what is expected to be a high-scoring game with Dissly potentially being the second option for Herbert, you could do a lot worse.
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins: Sit, QB2
In two games vs. Tampa Bay this season, Kirk Cousins is averaging 407.5 passing yards with 8 TDs/1 INT vs. 221.6 passing yards per game with 9 TDs/8 INTs in his other nine games. He is not an option you can trust with confidence in single QB leagues, finishing as a top-16 QB only once outside those two games against the Bucs. This matchup this week is advantageous, with the Chargers, allowing multiple passing touchdowns in three straight weeks to Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Will Levis but there are better options this week even with a Vegas implied total of 47.5.
Running Back
Bijan Robinson: Start, RB1
Tyler Allgeier: Sit, RB4
In a blowout week 11 loss to the Broncos, Bijan Robinson had his streak of five straight RB10 or better performances come to an end. However, in a surprising development, Robinson received 94% of the backfield touches until Jase McClellan saw eight carries in garbage time with the Falcons trailing by 32 in the 4th quarter. It is unlikely we see this backfield split going forward but if Tyler Allgeier’s touches remain in the 4-6 range instead of the 8-12 range, Bijan will have a weekly top-3 ceiling. He is a smash start this week and an obvious RB1 every week, even when ceding double-digit touches to Allgeier who is only a handcuff at this point.
Wide Receiver
Drake London: Start, WR1
Darnell Mooney: Flex Option, WR3
Ray-Ray McLoud: Sit
Drake London ranks as a low-end WR1 this week against a Charger’s secondary that has allowed seven passing touchdowns in the last three weeks. London currently ranks 16th among NFL pass catchers in targets per game with 8.2, and could easily surpass this total in week 13 in what is expected to be a high-scoring game. Darnell Mooney suffered a hamstring injury in week 11 which limited him to playing only 58% of the snaps. The injury is not considered to be serious but fantasy managers will need to monitor practice reports closely. If Mooney is active as expected, he is a worthy FLEX option with a high-end WR2 ceiling. Mooney had 86 yards receiving in three straight games before getting injured vs. the Broncos and has a chance to reach 80+ yards again operating as Cousin’s number two option. If Mooney were to be inactive, Ray-Ray McCloud would become a FLEX option for those in deep leagues or managers dealing with injuries.
Tight End
Kyle Pitts: Start, TE1
After four straight weeks with 65+ receiving yards, while finishing TE13 or better, Kyle Pitts is TE34 in PPG over his last three weeks. I would feel a lot better starting Pitts if Mooney was inactive, but even with Mooney, Pitts ranks (barely) as a top-12 option in a friendly matchup but with a very low floor.