NFL Fantasy Football Week 14: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

Week 14 Match-up:  Atlanta Falcons (10-2) at Carolina Panthers (1-11)

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

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Atlanta Falcons (Falcons Schedule)

Opponent Defensive Ranks

Carolina Pass Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 8th - TDs Allowed T-7th

Carolina Rush Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 27th – TDs Allowed T-27th

Atlanta Offensive Cast

Matt Ryan (QB Week 14 Ranking: No. 12)

2010 Season: 280/441 – for 2,920 yards & 21 TDs

Ryan may not need to do much in this game for Atlanta to get the win, but that’s exactly the type of game you want to play him in.  His only two 3-TD games this year came against the 3-9 Cardinals and the 2-10 Bengals.

Michael Turner (RB Week 14 Ranking: No. 4)

2010 Season: 247 carries for 1,062 yards & 8 TDs || 11 receptions for 73 yards & 0 TDs

“The Centaur” posted either 100-plus yards or a touchdown in five of the last six games, so have no fear rolling with him into your playoffs against a Carolina defense that seems to be getting worse by the minute.  By the way, they gave up three TDs to Marshawn Lynch last week, if that says anything to you…

Jason Snelling (RB Week 14 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 Turner’s backup. However, he can’t be used unless ‘The Centaur’ goes down to injury.

Roddy White (WR Week 14 Ranking: No. 6)

2010 Season: 91 receptions for 1,140 yards & 7 TDs

Roddy has been held under 100 yards and without a touchdown for three straight weeks; a streak NO fantasy owner was expecting after the fast start.  If the Falcons want to get him back on track and more involved in their offense, they’ll do it this week against the lowly Panthers.

Michael Jenkins (WR Week 14 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 26 receptions for 339 yards & 1 TD

The good news is Jenkins grabbed his first TD of the season last week. The bad news is it just might be the only one he gets this year.

Harry Douglas (WR Week 14 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 19 receptions for 219 yards & 1 TD

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

Tony Gonzalez (TE Week 14 Ranking: No. 7)

2010 Season: 54 receptions for 537 yards & 4 TDs

This season Gonzo hasn’t been nearly as dependable as in years past.  However, you have to take a shot on him returning to form against one of the worst defenses in the league in at covering tight ends.

Carolina Panthers (Panthers Schedule)

Opponent Defensive Ranks

Atlanta Pass Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 26th - TDs Allowed T-23rd

Atlanta Rush Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 8th – TDs Allowed T-3rd

Carolina Offensive Cast

Jimmy Clausen (QB Week 14 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 101/200 – for 1,056 yards & 1 TD

Don’t even think about it, even against a less than mediocre Falcons pass D.

Jonathan Stewart (RB Week 14 Ranking: No. 22)

2010 Season: 102 carries for 398 yards & 2 TDs || 6 receptions for 92 yards & 1 TD

Stewart looked good again last week against the Seahawks and has a firm hold of the Panthers main ball-carrier at this point.  Carolina will continue to work him hard as they make an effort to see if he can still be their RB of the future.  Expect another 20-25 touches for Stew this weekend.

Mike Goodson (RB Week 14 Ranking: No. 26)

2010 Season: 78 carries for 344 yards & 2 TDs || 33 receptions for 265 yards & 0 TDs

With Stewart back, Goodson loses a bunch of fantasy value. Goodson is a bit banged up and you really can’t use him here in crunch-time.

Steve Smith (WR Week 14 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 39 receptions for 498 yards & 2 TDs

Smitty isn’t worth starting in fantasy leagues anymore with rookie Jimmy Clausen back at the helm.

David Gettis (WR Week 14 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 27 receptions for 417 yards & 3 TDs

…and if you can’t start Smitty, then you definitely can’t start Gettis.

Brandon LaFell (WR Week 14 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 25 receptions for 334 yards & 1 TD

…likewise for LaFell.

Dante Rosario (TE Week 14 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 27 receptions for 229 yards & 0 TDs

Seriously now…

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