Things hit a new low for Atlanta’s offense in last weekend’s 23-7 loss to the Patriots, with the only Falcons touchdown coming late in garbage time. It won’t get much better for fantasy players this week as Atlanta goes up against an offensively-challenged Jets team.
Here’s a look at who to start and sit for this Sunday’s game.
QBs: Start Matt Ryan, sit Josh McCown
Matt Ryan continues to be a byproduct of an offense without an identity. The Falcons have lacked explosive plays and the ability to sustain long drives. As a result, Ryan has just seven touchdowns to go with interceptions. Still, against the Jets’ 20th-ranked pass defense, Ryan has a chance at a big day in terms of yardage.
Unless you’re playing in a very deep league, chances are you aren’t playing Josh McCown anyway. The journeyman has been better than you’d think in 2017 as he is coming off of two really solid games. Last week, he accounted for four total touchdowns and topped 350 yards the previous week against the Patriots.
Looking at his entire body of work, however, shows that those past two games were far from the norm. McCown has thrown for under 200 yards three times this season. While he may not be the worst start, there are many better options.
RBs: Start Devonta Freeman, sit Bilal Powell
Devonta Freeman hasn’t been dominant over the first six games, yet is on pace for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. After Steve Sarkisian was criticized for not getting the ball to Freeman enough last week, there will be no excuse against the Jets’ 28th-ranked rush defense.
On the other side, the Jets run the ball well but their rushing attack is more of a by-committee approach. Bilal Powell is the frontrunner and despite averaging 4.7 yards per carry, he likely won’t get the volume to be worthy of a start. You had better be pretty desperate to put any Jets running backs in your lineup.
WR: Start Julio Jones, sit Sanu, Anderson, Kearse
Jones had 99 yards and his first touchdown of the season last week, but overall hasn’t quite been himself in 2017. Matt Ryan has targeted Jones nearly 25% of the time, which keeps him a must-start for the rest of the season.
Outside of Julio, this game is not exactly filled with game-breaking wideouts. Mohamed Sanu hasn’t cracked 100 yards yet this year, and the Jets don’t have a go-to wide receiver. Both Robby Anderson and Jermaine Kearse have over 300 yards, but neither can be counted on week-to-week.
TEs: Sit Austin Hooper and Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Austin Hooper opened the season with what looked to be a breakout game, but his contributions have been very minimal in the five games since. He’s capable of getting a few big chunk plays, but don’t bet on it.
As far as New York is concerned, Seferian-Jenkins is their best option at tight end. With under 200 total receiving yards this season though, his upside is extremely limited. This is not a game where you’re going to find good or even decent tight end play.
Defense/ST: Start Atlanta, sit New York
Atlanta’s defense is loaded with young playmakers, and without any real dominant offensive pieces on the Jets, it could be a good showing for Dan Quinn’s defense. New York isn’t a terrible option, especially with Atlanta in one hell of an offensive slump.
Neither defense is really a great option, but you could do worse than the Falcons this week.