Kickoff: Sunday, December 26th at 1 PM ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
Betting Odds: ATL, -5.5, 42.5 Total on Oddsshark
Network: Fox
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff (Start, QB2), Tim Boyle (Sit), David Blough
Oh, Boyle rules! @timboyle_7#GBvsOAK pic.twitter.com/FGXf5aQiv5
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2019
Jared Goff supposedly won’t be back in time for the game against the Falcons. Goff was coming off the game of the year for the Lions, throwing 3 touchdowns to no interceptions in a runaway victory over the number one ranked Arizona Cardinals. If Goff were playing this week he’d have an excellent matchup, but if we are stuck with Tim Boyle or David Blough. Then we might as well use our fab elsewhere and leave these guys on the waiver wire.
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift (Start, RB2), Jamaal Williams (Start, RB2/Flex), Craig Reynolds (RB2)
https://twitter.com/ZKantzFF/status/1473869468208041988
D’Andre Swift practiced this week and if he’s playing this week then there’s a good chance he’s getting 100 yards. Swift had just come off back-to-back 130-yard games before going down with an injury. The Falcons are also coming off a sad defensive performance giving up 100 yards and a TD to back up RB Jeff Wilson and giving up three rushing TDs overall to the 49ers. Jamaal Williams and Craig Reynolds muddy the waters if Swift is out in this game, as they both provide upside and could easily eat at each other’s opportunities. If Swift plays I think he could be an RB1 with his receiving upside. If Reynolds or Williams start then I’ll take them at an RB2 value.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Aman-Ra St. Brown (Start, WR3/Flex), Josh Reynolds (Start, Flex)
Amon-Ra St. Brown has literally been given the D'Andre Swift/Jamaal Williams role. Pure volume play for your playoffs. pic.twitter.com/oWHLZodicE
— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) December 21, 2021
Amon-Ra St.Brown has 35 targets in the past three games and is without TJ Hockenson for the rest of the season. St. Brown should still see volume even with a backup quarterback this week. I don’t think he’ll be the top five wideouts that he’s been since Week 13 but he still has a ton of potential as a WR3/Flex. Josh Reynolds has been a breath of fresh air to the Lions’ offense as he’s averaged 5.75 targets, 4 receptions, and 64 yards a game. While not huge numbers, he has been effective in PPR leagues and should continue to be a solid Flex.
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Matt Ryan (Start, QB2)
https://twitter.com/FTB_Vids_YT/status/1472710239522750466
Matt Ryan is still a good quarterback, he just needs to stay up this week. This season the Lions have sacked the QB 22 times, which is the second-fewest in the league. While allowing the sixth most TDs (23) to the quarterback position. This could be a big day for Ryan and a big day for fantasy managers that kept him around. Look for Ryan to put up some decent numbers and be a QB2 that’s worthy of a Superflex slot.
Running Backs
Cordarrelle Patterson (Start, RB2), Mike Davis (Sit)
CORDARRELLE PATTERSON SCORES pic.twitter.com/I9kEcx17zT
— Carlton (@CrispyCarlton) December 19, 2021
Cordarrelle Patterson prior to last week’s debacle of a game was averaging 13.8 fantasy points a game. Patterson is RB9 on the season and has been a cheat code all season long as he works for the Falcons as a receiver as well as an RB. These past two weeks Patterson has rushed the ball 11 times in the red zone, giving him optimal opportunities to score. Look for Patterson to be a strong RB1 candidate this week. Mike Davis had a good game in Week 14, with 86 total yards from scrimmage and five catches. This could be an identical week for Davis, but I wouldn’t bank on this being a Davis week.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Russell Gage (Start, WR2), Kyle Pitts (Start, TE1)
The government doesn't want you to know Russell Gage has been balling out lately pic.twitter.com/afzfNnYOwp
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) December 21, 2021
Russell Gage was once thought to be just a guy but has proven to be the most reliable player in the Falcons receiving corps. Gage has averaged 9 targets in the past three games. He’s been efficient and even has stepped up and made some big plays. This is a good game to play him as the Lions’ secondary won’t be able to stop him especially if they double Kyle Pitts. Play him as a WR2 this week with WR1 upside. Pitts is another good option in this game as the Lions have allowed the ninth-most yards (856) to opposing tight ends. I expect the Lions to double Pitts, but if he can break loose as he did in the fourth quarter of last week. Then I can see him having a TE1 week and being a good play.