Falcons at Colts
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 22nd at 1:00 pm EST
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolisolis, IN
Betting Odds: IND -1.5, 47 Total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: Ito Smith
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
- Matt Ryan (Start/QB1)
Matt Ryan topped the 300-yard mark for the second straight game and added three touchdown passes to lead the Falcons past the Eagles in Week 2. However, Ryan threw three interceptions and he finished as QB9. Ryan struggled to take advantage of burnt Eagles cornerbacks, missing Calvin Ridley and Justin Hardy who were wide open on consecutive plays. This week, Ryan gets the Colts, who were torched by Phillip Rivers in Week 1 and then shut down the non-existent Titan’s pass game in Week 2. The Colts do have a sneaky-good pass rush, racking up eight sacks, so while Ryan is a start for me, I could see him putting up a line similar to that of last week against the Eagles.
Running Backs
- Devonta Freeman (Start/RB2)
- Ito Smith (Sit)
Devonta Freeman has struggled to get things going to open the season, rushing for 41 yards on 19 attempts to open the year. The good news is he’s done that against two of the toughest run defenses in the game – Vikings, and Eagles). This week is a different story, as the Colts rank 29th in fantasy points allowed to running backs. The game script on this game should favor Freeman being on the field more than the 55.5% snap-share he’s earned to open the year. Keep an eye on Ito Smith’s usage as he’s looked like the better back in the first two games, racking up 85 yards on just 13 touches. If Freeman continues to struggle, Smith could be in line for a bigger workload.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Julio Jones (Start/WR1)
- Calvin Ridley (Start/WR2)
- Austin Hooper (Start/TE1)
- Mohamed Sanu (Start/Flex)
- Justin Hardy (Sit)
Julio Jones is a must-start every week as he showed last week against the Eagles, catching five balls for 108 yards and two scores. Calvin Ridley seems to have taken a step forward in his sophomore season and Matt Ryan has taken notice. In his Week 2 matchup with the Eagles, Ridley matched Jones with 10 targets. With that type of workload, Ridley is cementing himself as a weekly WR2. Austin Hooper provides a solid, unexciting TE1 option. Hooper was heavily involved in the Falcons Week 1, catch-up mode game against the Vikings, catching all nine of his targets. The Colts provide a middle of the road matchup for tight ends, ranking 18th in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, although they faced Hunter Henry (who left in the first half) and Delanie Walker. If you need a deep flex in a PPR league, Mohamed Sanu is a safe option as he’s seen 13 targets in the first two games, although he lacks upside. Justin Hardy saw his targets drop from five in Week 1 to just 1 in Week 2. For now, Hardy is just a player to watch to see if his target share increases as the season wears on.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
- Jacoby Brissett (Sit)
Since the surprised Andrew Luck retirement, the Colts have asked Jacoby Brissett to be a game manager, which he’s done quite well. The Colts hung tight in an overtime loss to the Chargers and won a close Week 2 game with the Titans. Brissett has done well as a real-world quarterback, throwing five touchdowns and just one interception. However, the Colts have gone to a run-heavy attack, limiting Brissett’s pass attempts. Brissett is still usable in 2QB leagues.
Running Backs
- Marlon Mack (Start/RB2)
- Nyheim Hines (Sit)
The Colts have been the fourth heaviest run team this year, rushing the ball 52.7% of the time, with Marlon Mack being the primary beneficiary. Mack has over 20 touches in each of the first two games, with varying results. Mack ran all over the Chargers in Week 1, totaling 174 yards on 25 carries. In Week 2, the Titans seemed to focus on stopping the run as Mack totaled just 51 yards on 20 carries. The Colts showed their commitment to the run despite the results. The Falcons faced another run-heavy team in Week 1, the Vikings, in a game where Dalvin Cook took over. That game should give the Colts a decent game plan as to how to attack this Falcons defense. Nyheim Hines saw his targets drop from four to two and has not had a big enough role in the offense to consider playing.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
- T.Y. Hilton (Start/WR2)
- Eric Ebron (Start/TE1)
- Jack Doyle (Sit)
- Parris Campbell (Sit)
- Chester Rodgers (Sit)
T.Y. Hilton’s talent shines through, despite being in a run happy offense with (essentially) a backup quarterback. Hilton’s had a nose for the end-zone, scoring three touchdowns in the early season. However, due to the nature of the offense, his receiving yards have been limited, which caps his upside. With two mouths to feed between Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle, I don’t want to start either of them, but being what the tight end landscape is, I understand if you have to start one of them. Ebron gets the nod due to his nose for the end zone. Parris Campbell is an intriguing prospect, but with just one target in each of the first two games, he’s just someone to keep an eye on. Chester Rogers had four targets in Week 2, but all were quick short throws around the line of scrimmage.
-Rich Holman (@nextdoorFFguru)
So I have Vance on my bench with Marc Andrews starting.
My Flex options are Mike Wiliams (currently sitting in Flex spot), James White and Vance – Josh Jacobs says he’s sick and has lost 10lbs, plus the hip injury and going against MIN.
Should I start Vance over Williams/White?
I would not
Considering Joe Mixon’s slow start do you think John Brown or Kerryon Johnson would be better at the flex spot?
Massively struggling between Hilton and Golladay for my Flex. 0.25 PPR. Many experts are leaning towards Hilton, but I think Golladay has the better game. Thoughts?
your thoughts on shady or gore for my flex spot? i have saquon and kerryon for RB1/2. rest of my bench consists of aj green, kenny stills, chris thopson and ito smith. yes, i am in trouble.
Who should I flex? Kerryon, Scary Terry, or John Ross?
I should keep Lockett in over Fitz, right? He has a more favorable defensive matchup by far, and more upside, although I’m sure Fitz will get fed.
Metcalf is currently an available free agent in my 8-team league. Would you drop Mike Williams in favor of Metcalf? I currently have Lockett on my roster and on the bench in favor of Marquise Brown in the flex, and John Brown starting. Fitz is also on the bench. Hopkins and OBJ are my other starters.
No touchdown for Matt Breida last week unfortunately, otherwise great write-ups!
I currently have D.J. Chark, D.J. Moore, Adam Thielen, John Brown, and Mecole Hardman on my team. I am thinking about starting John Brown as my WR1, D.J. Chark as my WR2, and Mecole Hardman as my flex. So far I have not been impressed by Thielen this year, and with Cam most likely out I am afraid to start Moore. What do you recommend?
sorry if I’m posting this in the wrong thread, but I have a dilemma. No clue on who to start. I can start 6
PPR
Bell, Thielen, OBJ, Ridley, Montgomery, Keryon, Hollywood, DJ Chark
I’m leaning on benching dj and thielen. Opinions?
Rather than asking specific players, what positional ranking is highest in a 1 point PPR league
RB Flex, WR3, or TE1?