Fantasy Football Week 13 Matchup: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 13 Match-up:  Atlanta Falcons (9-2) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)

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Rankings based on top 16 QBs, 32 RBs, 48 WRs and 16 TEs

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Atlanta Falcons (Falcons Schedule)

Opponent Defensive Ranks

Tampa Bay Pass Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 9th - TDs Allowed T-16th

Tampa Bay Rush Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 27th – TDs Allowed T-13th

Atlanta Offensive Cast

Matt Ryan (QB Week 13 Ranking: No. 16)

2010 Season: 262/405 – for 2,715 yards & 19 TDs

Ryan’s Week 9 performance against the Bucs was good enough for a Falcons victory, but not quite enough to win a week for fantasy owners.  Tampa actually has a pretty good pass defense, so with their rush D lacking as it is, expect Atlanta to grind this one out on the ground.  If the match-up is tight, which it looks like it could be, Ryan might be needed to toss up a touchdown or two.

Michael Turner (RB Week 13 Ranking: No. 7)

2010 Season: 223 carries for 974 yards & 7 TDs || 11 receptions for 73 yards & 0 TDs

“The Centaur” had a real nice game against the Bucs the first time around (107 yards, two TDs), but that was back in the comfort of the Georgia Dome.  Indeed he has put together some nice outings as of late, but he’ll be walking into a charged up inner-division game on the road this Sunday which always has the possibility of being a tough contest.  Either way, Turner should be able to come close to the numbers he put up last time around against these guys.

Jason Snelling (RB Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 74 carries for 300 yards & 2 TDs || 35 receptions for 239 yards & 2 TDs

Snelling has turned in a nice season thus far putting up over 500 total yards as Turn’s backup, but he can’t be used unless ‘The Centaur’ goes down to injury.

Roddy White (WR Week 13 Ranking: No. 4)

2010 Season: 84 receptions for 1,066 yards & 7 TDs

Roddy had a tough time against these guys the last time around catching just four balls for 49 yards, but you can’t hold talent like his back for very long.  Last year White had a touchdown in each of his games against the Bucs, and I expect him to do the same this weekend with close to 100 yards.

Michael Jenkins (WR Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 23 receptions for 309 yards & 0 TDs

Jenkins may come out of this one with five to seven catches if Roddy gets doubled or can’t get open for some reason.

Harry Douglas (WR Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 18 receptions for 198 yards & 1 TD

Douglas has a ton of talent, but he still sits behind Jenkins on the depth chart.

Tony Gonzalez (TE Week 13 Ranking: No. 4)

2010 Season: 51 receptions for 499 yards & 4 TDs

Gonzo had 11 targets, eight catches and 72 yards in Week 9 against Tampa.  Maybe he repeats the performance with a TD this time.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Buccaneers Schedule)

Opponent Defensive Ranks

Atlanta Pass Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed 27th - TDs Allowed T-21st

Atlanta Rush Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed 6th – TDs Allowed T-1st

Tampa Bay Offensive Cast

Josh Freeman (QB Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 194/327 – for 2,261 yards & 15 TDs

Freeman will need to pass the ball to win this game as the Atlanta rush D is playing out of this world right now.  Don’t expect more than around 200 yards and a TD though, which hardly makes him playable on your team.

LeGarrette Blount (RB Week 13 Ranking: No. 28)

2010 Season: 114 carries for 496 yards & 4 TDs || 2 receptions for 9 yards & 0 TDs

Blount is a hard-working back that picks up the tough yards when necessary.  I can’t envision more than 60-70 yards for him in this one, but he might be able to scratch out a TD when Tampa gets down into the red-zone.

Cadillac Williams (RB Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 108 carries for 357 yards & 2 TDs || 35 receptions for 267 yards & 1 TD

 Caddy is actually doing pretty well as the Bucs third-down back, but that’s far from being worth a fantasy play.

Mike Williams (WR Week 13 Ranking: No. 11)

2010 Season: 45 receptions for 701 yards & 6 TDs

Williams was held to his worst outing of the year last week against the Ravens (two catches, 20 yards), but my guess is he’ll bounce back nicely.  Last game against the Falcons he put up 89 yards and a TD, numbers I could see happening again this Sunday.

Arrelious Benn (WR Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 16 receptions for 195 yards & 2 TDs

The rookie seems to be getting the hang of it, but not enough for me to be confident in starting him on my fantasy team.

Sammie Stroughter (WR Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 17 receptions for 188 yards & 0 TDs

Sammie has been passed on the depth chart by Benn at this point.

Kellen Winslow Jr. (TE Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 47 receptions for 480 yards & 2 TDs

Winslow has two TDs in the last three games, so he seems to be getting his groove back under him.  The Falcons are pretty good at defending tight ends though, so chance it only if necessary.

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