Fantasy Football Week 14: Complete Monday Night Preview

If it’s Week 14 in the NFL that means it is time for the playoff push.

It also means it is playoff time for many fantasy football owners.

Between Thursday night and Sunday this week, we saw six 100-yard rushing performances and 14 100-yard receiving games while seven quarterbacks threw for at least 300 yards.

And we haven’t even gotten to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers yet. Here’s a player and a team that have put up incredible numbers at home this season.

If your team is in a tight game and you have Rodgers tonight, you have to like your chances.

So what can we expect Monday night when the Atlanta Falcons come to town?

Let’s take a look.

Starting Quarterbacks

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Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan

The seven-year signal-caller has bounced back from a forgettable 2013 in which he was sacked a career-high 44 times and was picked off a career-high 17 times.

This season, Ryan has thrown for more than twice as many touchdowns (21) as interceptions (10). Six of those 10 miscues came in Atlanta’s first three road games (all losses), but it should be noted that the productive quarterback has not been picked off in his last three road outings.

Ryan has also thrown a pair of touchdowns in three of his last five games.

Fantasy Prediction: 29-of-41, 293 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT. 1 carry, 3 yards, 0 TD.

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers

The numbers are simply astounding.

Consider these statistics for one second. Since inheriting the Packers’ starting quarterback job in 2008, Rodgers has thrown 219 touchdown passes and only 54 interceptions in 99 regular-season games. Just let that soak in for a few seconds.

This season, the prolific passer has thrown for 32 scores compared to only three interceptions in one dozen contests (keep in mind that Matt Ryan was picked off three times in a Week 2 loss to the Bengals).

Of course, Rodgers has thrown 20 touchdown passes and zero interceptions in six games at Lambeau Field this season—two or more scores in each of those contests.

Fantasy Prediction: 22-of-26, 275 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT. 2 carries, 12 yards, 0 TD.

Running Backs

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Atlanta Falcons Starter: Steven Jackson

The 17th-leading rusher in NFL history with 11,283 yards in 11 seasons comes off his best performance in 2014. Jackson totaled 18 carries for 101 yards on the ground in the team’s 29-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Still, Jackson has yet to total at least 20 rushing attempts in any game this season. And last week’s outing vs. Arizona marks the only time he’s rushed for at least 100 yards in a game in 2014.

What is also interesting to note is that Jackson has totaled only 16 catches for 97 yards this season.

Fantasy Prediction: 11 carries, 45 yards, 0 TD. 3 receptions, 11 yards, 0 TD.

Atlanta Falcons Backup: Jacquizz Rodgers

One year after running for 332 yards and a pair of scores in 2013, Rodgers hasn’t come close to that moderate production so far this season.

The four-year pro ranks only fourth on the team with 121 yards rushing on 33 carries. Rodgers actually has more receiving yards (125) this season, that coming on 23 receptions. He has scored two touchdowns in 2014, one rushing and one receiving.

Fantasy Prediction: 2 carries, 12 yards, 0 TD. 2 receptions, 14 yards, 0 TD.

Green Bay Packers Starter: Eddie Lacy

The 2013 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was slow out of the gate this season for a number of reasons. In his first four games this season, Lacy touched the ball 60 times, gained just 210 yards from scrimmage and scored only one touchdown.

So much for the second-year pro’s sluggish start. In his last eight contests, the power runner has rolled up 912 total yards rushing and receiving and reached the end zone eight times. Lacy not only leads the team with 770 yards rushing (six touchdowns) but is fourth on the club with 31 catches, good for 352 yards and three touchdowns.

Fantasy Prediction: 23 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD. 2 receptions, 24 yards, 0 TD.

Green Bay Packers Backup: James Starks

He has spelled Lacy on more than one occasion and remains an effective player.

Starks ranks second on the team with 210 yards rushing and has caught 11 passes for 82 yards in 2014.

Unfortunately, 70 total touches have resulted in just one touchdown this season.

Fantasy Prediction: 8 carries, 45 yards, 0 TD. 0 receptions.

Wide Receivers

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Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones

Jones played in only five games last season, but the talented wide receiver is making up for a lost 2013.

The explosive playmaker not only leads the Falcons with 82 receptions for 1,169 yards and five touchdowns, Jones entered Week 14 tied for third in the league in catches.

Jones has been targeted at least 11 times in four straight games and eight out of 12 contests this season. He’s totaled at least four receptions in every game in 2014 and comes off a season-high 189 receiving yards in last Sunday’s 29-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Jones has scored 23 touchdowns in his last 37 regular-season appearances dating back to 2011.

Fantasy Prediction: 7 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD.

Atlanta Falcons: Roddy White

The former Pro Bowler is listed as questionable with an ankle injury this week. White was inactive for last Sunday’s tilt with the Cardinals, but don’t be shocked if you see him on Monday night.

This season, the franchise’s all-time receptions leader with 741 catches ranks second on the team in catches (56) and receiving yards (662). White is tied with Jones for the club lead with five touchdown grabs.

If he is available, it will be interesting to see how effective White can be. We’ll forecast as if the veteran wide receiver will be ready to go.

Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 55 yards, 0 TD.

Atlanta Falcons: Harry Douglas

If White is unable to go, it is safe to say that Douglas’ stock rises for this prime-time tilt.

The former University of Louisville standout has had his issues staying on the field as well, missing four games this year. Douglas ranks third on the team with 30 catches for 339 yards but has scored just one touchdown this season.

In fact, Douglas has caught 115 passes in 24 games dating back to the start of 2013 but has reached the end zone just three times over that span.

Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions, 71 yards, 0 TD.

Atlanta Falcons: Devin Hester

He remains a dangerous commodity on kickoff and punt returns but has also put up respectable numbers as a receiver this season. Hester has totaled 27 catches for 362 yards and one touchdown.

But the Falcons will give the Packers something to think about when it comes to the talented specialist. Hester has five rushing attempts for 36 yards and a score this season. And due to his days with the Chicago Bears, it’s safe to say he knows his way around Lambeau Field.

Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 27 yards, 0 TD.

Green Bay Packers: Jordy Nelson

He has become quite the weapon in the Packers’ talented arsenal.

Nelson leads the club with 70 catches, good for an impressive 1,119 yards (16.0 yards per reception) and 10 touchdowns.

Dating back to the start of 2013, the sure-handed wideout has totaled 155 for 2,433 yards and 18 scores in 28 regular-season outings.

Nelson has totaled 100-plus receiving yards in five game and has scored at least one touchdown in eight of his 12 appearances in 2014.

Fantasy Prediction: 7 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD.

Green Bay Packers: Randall Cobb

It is safe to say that the big-play performer is making up for lost time after missing 10 games in 2013. In six games last season, Cobb still managed to total 31 receptions for 433 yards and four scores.

In 2014, the explosive playmaker ranks second on the team with 65 catches, totaling 922 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Of course, it is also interesting to note that Cobb has not scored in three consecutive games. The former second-round pick reached the end zone at least once in eight of his first nine outings this season.

Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD.

Green Bay Packers: Davante Adams

The rookie wideout has gotten busier as time has worn on this season. While his numbers are not close to those of Nelson and Cobb, Adams is beginning to make his mark.

The team’s second-round pick from Fresno State this spring ranks third on the club with 34 catches, totaling 417 yards and three touchdowns.

In last week’s victory over the Patriots, Adams caught six passes for a season-high 121 yards.

Fantasy Prediction: 3 receptions, 31 yards, 0 TD.

Green Bay Packers: Jarrett Boykin

He caught one pass for six yards last week versus the New England Patriots, raising his total to three receptions for 23 yards in 2014.

Boykin missed three games this season and hopes to make more of a contribution down the stretch. Last Sunday’s catch was his first since Week 3.

Fantasy Prediction: 1 reception, 16 yards, 0 TD.

Tight Ends

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Atlanta Falcons Starter: Levine Toilolo

The second-year performer, in his first season replacing veteran Tony Gonzalez in the starting lineup, is tied for fourth on the team with 23 receptions, good for 204 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

A fourth-round pick from Stanford University a year ago, Toilolo played in 16 games, making three starts, and totaled just 11 catches for 55 yards and two touchdowns.

In last week’s 29-18 win over Arizona, the young tight end caught a season-high four passes, including one for a score, but totaled a mere 15 yards on those receptions.

Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 13 yards, 1 TD.

Atlanta Falcons Backup: Bear Pascoe

What a stat line: One catch for one yard and one touchdown.

Those are numbers that are just too much to bear.

However, that’s the season for Pascoe. That means Falcons tight ends have combined for 24 catches for 205 yards and two scores in 2014.

Fantasy Prediction: 0 receptions.

Green Bay Packers Starter: Andrew Quarless

The highlight for this tight end in 2014 came in the final seconds of the team’s 27-24 win at Miami earlier this year. Quarless caught the game-winning score with three seconds to play to give the Packers a huge win.

Quarless ranks fifth on the team with 23 catches, good for 247 yards and three touchdowns. He’s caught exactly two passes in five consecutive games, so…

Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 23 yards, 1 TD.

Green Bay Packers Backup: Richard Rodgers      

After being targeted just six times in the team’s first seven games and totaling three catches for 53 yards, the rookie tight end has seen more passes thrown his way as of late.

Rodgers has been thrown to 13 times in his last five outings and has caught 10 passes for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He’s scored once in each of the team’s last two games. Look for him to extend that streak one more week.

Fantasy Prediction: 1 reception, 6 yards, 1 TD.

Defense/Special Teams

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Atlanta Falcons Defense/Special Teams

No team in the league has allowed more total yards per game than the Falcons. And defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s pass rush is one of the worst in the league.

However, one area where this team has improved this season comes in the form of opportunistic football. Atlanta has forced 24 turnovers in 12 games, three more takeaways than the team managed all of 2013.

Back to that pass rush, one that has produced only 14 sacks in a dozen games. That’s less than Kansas City’s Justin Houston (16), Baltimore’s Elvis Dumervil (16) and Houston’s J.J. Watt (14.5) have totaled in 2014.

Fantasy Prediction: 35 points allowed, 1 sack, 0 INT, 1 FF.

Green Bay Packers Defense/Special Teams

Like the Falcons, Green Bay has also done a better job when it comes to taking away the football this season. One year after forcing only 22 turnovers, the Pack has already topped that total by one takeaway (23). That includes 15 interceptions, three of which have been returned for scores.

The Packers also have twice as many sacks (28) as Atlanta this season, led by outside linebacker Julius Peppers (five). But this defense has totaled only six sacks in its last three games.

Fantasy Prediction: 14 points allowed, 6 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FF.

Best Sleeper Adds

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Sometimes a little last-minute shopping can be beneficial to your team. Here’s a trio of rookies that could help your chances of advancing in the fantasy playoffs.

1. Devonta Freeman, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons (Owned in 3.1 Percent of ESPN leagues)

While versatile Jacquizz Rodgers is listed second on the depth chart, the fourth-round pick from Florida State ranks second on the team with 180 yards rushing and has caught 22 passes for 155 yards and a score.

2. Davante Adams, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers (Owned in 13.3 Percent of ESPN leagues)

Green Bay’s second-round pick in May has really come on in recent weeks. He’s probably less a sleeper and more of a good insurance policy to have these days.

3. Richard Rodgers, Tight End, Green Bay Packers (Owned in 2.5 Percent of ESPN leagues)

A third-round selection from the University of California, Rodgers began the season as the team’s starter. He’s now behind Andrew Quarless on the depth chart, but it’s worth noting that he’s scored a touchdown in two straight games.

Injury Report

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How banged up are the Falcons and Packers? Here’s a look at the team’s boo-boos, with the focus on both club’s key performers. The complete list can be found on NFL.com.

Atlanta Falcons
Player		Status
Robert Alford	CB	Out
Roddy White	WR	Questionable
Harry Douglas	WR	Probable
Justin Blalock	G	Probable

Not having one of your cornerbacks available for a game against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay receiving corps can’t be good news. White figures to be a game-time decision.

Green Bay Packers
Player		Status
Sam Shields	CB	Questionable
T.J. Lang	G	Probable
Josh Sitton	G	Probable
Mike Daniels	DE	Probable
Nick Perry	LB	Probable

Shields is listed as questionable but has not practiced as he recovers from the effects of a concussion. The Packers’ starting guards are each listed and both Lang and Sitton were limited in practice, as were defenders Daniels and Perry.

Sit or Start

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Having some concerns regarding your lineup this week? Here are some prominent players about whom you may have to make some key decisions regarding this matchup. And it could be the difference between advancing in the fantasy postseason and being done for 2014.

RB Steven Jackson (Falcons): The veteran comes off his most productive outing of the season and the Green Bay defense is ranked just 28th in the league against the run. But will the Falcons be playing from behind all evening?

Verdict: Sit

WR Harry Douglas (Falcons): The questionable availability of Roddy White makes this a solid play. Consider how the Packers have manhandled opponents at Lambeau Field, Douglas could pile up some big numbers regardless.

Verdict: Start

WR Davante Adams (Packers): The rookie was targeted a season-high 11 times last week, catching six passes for 121 yards in the team’s win over the New England Patriots. But we see him in a somewhat reduced role in terms of receptions on Monday night.

Verdict: Sit

TE Andrew Quarless (Packers): There’s always a preference when it comes to giving tight ends the benefit of the doubt against 3-4 defensive units. And even more so against a Falcons’ team that doesn’t have much of a pass rush.

Verdict: Start

Some statistical support provided by Pro-Football-Reference, NFL.com and ESPN.com. Depth chart info provided by Ourlads.