Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, November 10th, at 8:15 PM EST
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Betting Odds: ATL -3, 4w.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: Prime Video
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Marcus Mariota (Start, QB2)
Week 10 was rather ugly for Marcus Mariota, as he completed 12 of 23 attempts for 129 yards, and no touchdowns; through the air or on the ground. The box score was good for just 8.85 fantasy points, which was his second lowest on the season next to his Week 4 6.25 points against the Browns. Mariota did add 24 yards on five carries in the clock-expiring loss to the Chargers, but it wasn’t enough to boost his fantasy output. In the last five games, Mariota has failed to surpass over 150 passing yards four times, and with the return of Cordarrelle Patterson – who essentially is the Falcons offense – Mariota effectively loses his streaming appeal, even with the likes of Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow on their BYE.
Running Backs
Cordarrelle Patterson (Start, RB2), Tyler Allgeier (Sit), Caleb Huntley (Sit)
Atlanta and fantasy managers alike were ecstatic to have Cordarrelle Patterson back. Returning to action from a knee injury that sidelined him since Week 5, he was able to turn 13 carries into 44 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one reception for nine yards. It was a light load as expected, but he still manage to out-carry Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley. In Patterson’s absence, Allgeier was posting respectful RB2 numbers since Week 7, and against the Chargers last week, he turned his 10 carries into 99 yards. He is certainly a body worth keeping on your bench, as he has proved he is capable of contributing. That said, be wary of starting him regularly now with Patterson back in the mix. Even when CPatt was out, Huntley wasn’t much of a fantasy factor.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Drake London (Sit), Olamide Zaccheaus (Sit), Kyle Pitts (Start, TE2)
The Falcons pass-catchers are on the wrong side of contribution levels because of their quarterback. Olamide Zaccheaus is not fantasy relevant by any means, but rookie Drake London, the de facto WR1 for Atlanta, hasn’t been either most of this season. The Panthers have allowed the ninth most fantasy points to WRs on the season, but it’s hard to trust London because of Mariota. Even the unicorn that is Kyle Pitts has been a major disappointment this season. Entering Week 10, Pitts ranks as the TE16 on the season in full-PPR formats. By default, unless you have found a better streaming option, you will continue to start him, but unfortunately don’t expect anything more than a TE2 return.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
P.J. Walker (Sit), Baker Mayfield (Sit)
Don’t let the matchup prospect fool you. The Falcons have given up the sixth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, but P.J. Walker is not stream-worthy in this spot. Interim head coach Steve Wilks reported on Monday that Walker is slated to start again this Thursday, with Baker Mayfield backing him up. Walker finished the beatdown by the Bengals on Sunday with a cool -0.95 points, completing three of 10 attempts for 9 yards and two interceptions. In cleanup duty, Mayfield completed 14 of 20 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, so it’s honestly a bit puzzling that Mayfield didn’t “earn” a start this week. Either way, both QBs can be left on the wire. This Carolina QB room is going to get even more puzzling whenever Sam Darnold is ready to go, as he was activated from IR on Monday from his ankle injury.
Running Backs
D’Onta Foreman (Start, RB2), Chuba Hubbard (Sit)
Carolina got trounced by the Bengals in Week 9, losing 42-21. Based off of that, you can suspect D’Onta Foreman was a non-factor, and you would suspect correctly. Seven carries turned into 23 yards, with two receptions to his name for a cool negative-2 yards. It was his worst game in the post-CMC life, but Week 10 could be a bounce-back spot for Foreman, as the Falcons have given up the 12th most fantasy points to RB’s on the season. Foreman is not Austin Ekeler by any means, but it’s worth noting that last week the Falcons allowed Ekeler to rush for 47 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, as well as have seven catches for 24 yards and a score. On Monday, there was no official practice, but the Panther listed Chuba Hubbard as limited. He could be on track to suit up this week, but won’t be a viable option for your lineup.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
D.J. Moore (Start, WR3 with WR2 upside), Terrace Marshall Jr. (Start, FLEX), Ian Thomas (Sit), Tommy Tremble (Sit)
Fortunately for D.J. Moore, Walker is set to remain the starter, and not Mayfield. Bad news for Moore, is that Walker is still Walker. Not that anyone was productive for Carolina last week, but Moore only caught two of six targets for 24 scoreless yards against Cincinnati. The good news is, the Atlanta defense has given up the second most fantasy points to WRs this year, and Moore has a chance to get right this week. Terrace Marshall Jr. has put together a decent set of back-to-back games, and actually caught his first touchdown of the season in the rout versus Cincy. With names like Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Garrett Wilson, and Jakobi Meyers on BYE this week, Marshall can be a fair FLEX option if you are in a bind. The Carolina tight end room, made up of Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble can be avoided, and that’s even coming off the heels of Tremble catching a touchdown last week.