Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 25th at 4:25 PM ET
Location: Lumen Field in Seattle, WA
Betting Odds: SEA, -1.5, 42 Total on Oddsshark
Network: Fox
Writer: Justin Herrera (@semtexmex93 on Twitter)
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Marcus Mariota (Start, QB2)
Marcus Mariota was impressive and gritty in last week’s loss to the LA Rams. He went for 196 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Mariota is in for a QB2 week with the Seattle matchup. The Seahawks have sacked the quarterback the fifth fewest times through two weeks. In Week 1, Mariota went for 72 rushing yards, and it seems like this could be a game for Mariota to bust out the wheels and make some big plays. In the red zone, Mariota has run a league-leading six times. I’m starting Mariota this week as an upside QB2 because his upside with the run and the Seahawks’ pitiful defense should make for an excellent game. FantasyPros currently ranks Mariota at QB18.
Throws like this from Marcus Mariota make me wonder why so many “fans” are convinced he’s trash. The #Dirtybirds have a good QB who is still knocking the rust off. I’m excited to see him get better as the year goes on! pic.twitter.com/CTADXcGFjg
— DiehardFalcFan (@DiehardFalcFan) September 19, 2022
Running Backs
Cordarrelle Patterson (Start, High-end Flex), Tyler Allgeier (Sit)
After WK1 of the 2022 season your current forced missed tackle leader is Cordarrelle Patterson with 6.
After a 25-touch week, it’s safe to say he’s the motor to the Falcon's offense! #FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/5BljgbD5SS
— Jeremy (@PopesFFH) September 17, 2022
Cordarrelle Patterson looked back to normal as after a 120-yard outing in Week 1, he followed it up with a 41-yard outing in Week 2 against the Rams. Patterson is averaging 5 ypc in 2022 and gets a juicy matchup this week against the Seattle Seahawks. The Hawks have allowed the seventh most yards (219) to running backs. They also allow the most receiving yards to running backs (152), this makes for a big game for Patterson who’s a dual-threat running back. Patterson is a start as an RB2, and FantasyPros ranks him at RB25. Rookie Tyler Allgeier had a good debut, rushing for 30 yards in a change of pace role, but he hasn’t proven enough to make you want to pick him up, let alone start.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Drake London (Start, WR2), Kyle Pitts (Start, TE1)
6'4" Drake London hitting hurdles in isolation against standing defenders is absurd pic.twitter.com/vwwvVdThBT
— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) September 21, 2022
Drake London is the only sure thing in this offense, and the matchup dictates that he’ll have a big game. London, through two weeks, has a 33% target share and has 13 receptions, 160 yards, and a touchdown in his rookie campaign. He’s been dominant and easily Mariota’s favorite target on this team. On paper, the Seahawks have been one of the better defenses against the receiver position, only allowing 301 yards and a TD, but this team will have its hands full with London. Start London as a WR2 with WR1 upside this week; FantasyPros has him at WR24. Kyle Pitts has been underutilized in this offense, which might be the week to play him safely. A couple of stats on Pitts, he has the fifth most air yards (118) for tight ends, the second highest ADOT (11.8), and a 17% target share. These stats tell me he’s one big play away from making the top 10 tight ends for Week 3. Start Pitts as a TE1; FantasyPros has him ranked TE4.
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Geno Smith (Sit)
GENO SMITH QB1
pic.twitter.com/oTPLC1ciHR— PFF (@PFF) September 13, 2022
Geno Smith is no longer a thing; it was sweet to see the Seahawks win. But we’re back to reality and writing off Geno because last week showed us that he’ll have to be superman every game just to be middle of the pack in fantasy. Last week he threw for 195 yards, and it seemed like the Seahawks never stood a chance in that game. Now enter the Atlanta Falcons, a team that boasts the tenth worst defense as far as passing yards (541) and fantasy points/game (20.3) to the quarterback. The Falcons while facing some of the better teams in the league have proven to be very gritty and opportunistic on defense, with two interceptions and five sacks on the year. If you have Geno, you’re sitting him this week and not thinking twice about it.
Running Backs
Rashaad Penny (Sit), Travis Homer (Sit)
Rashaad Penny had 15 yards on six carries in Week 2. This was most likely due to the team fighting from behind the entire game. The game script should lend itself to Penny getting double-digit touches in Week 3. I still don’t want him on my team this week so I’m sitting him. Travis Homer showed up last week with four receptions for 33 yards, but until he has a bigger role on this offense I can’t trust him.
Rashaad Penny gets the scoring going in Seattle. #Seahawks
📺: #DETvsSEA on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/LlBZc9vPlx— NFL (@NFL) January 2, 2022
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Tyler Lockett (Start, WR2), DK Metcalf (Start, High-end Flex), Noah Fant (Sit)
Tyler Lockett, good route runner pic.twitter.com/L2lSNTsQ79
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) September 14, 2022
Tyler Lockett had a top 24 performance last week in a negative game script against the Niners. He caught nine passes for 107 yards and showed the fantasy football world that he’s still alive. AJ Terrell will play a part in figuring out who will be the lead receiver in this game. My guess is he’ll shadow Lockett, and DK Metcalf will have a big game. The Falcons have allowed the seventh most yards (399) and the most touchdowns (5) to the wide receiver. I’m going to start Lockett as a WR2 and Metcalf as a high-end flex this week. FantasyPros has Lockett ranked WR35 and Metcalf ranked WR25. Noah Fant only has five catches for 27 yards, and until he starts making waves, I’m sitting him or…cutting him.