Falcons-Broncos: Fantasy Football Preview

The picture shows it all—Denver had a reason to celebrate this past Thursday. The Broncos, in one of the most exciting games of the season, capped off a comeback from a 10-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Browns, 34-30.

Jay Cutler was the game's most impressive star, throwing for 447 yards; 164 of those yards went to Rookie of the Year candidate Eddie Royal. Denver's top runner, Ryan Torain, went out with a sudden knee injury that will sideline the rest of the future star's season.

Denver also signed fullback Alex Haynes and former 1,000-yard rusher Tatum Bell, who was cut by the Lions this season.

Atlanta is the most surprising team this year with its 6-3 record. The Falcons whooped the Saints, 34-20. Matt Ryan threw for two touchdowns in the teams big divisional win.

Injury Report

Denver

RB—Ryan Torain, Injured Reserve
RB—Selvin Young, Probable
WR—Brandon Stokley, Probable
TE—Tony Scheffler, Probable
LB—Nate Webster, Out
LB—D.J. Williams, Questionable
CB—Champ Bailey, Out
S—Marlon McCree, Questionable

Atlanta

T—Sam Baker, Questionable
T—Todd Weiner, Questionable
C—Todd McClure, Questionable
DE—John Abraham, Probable
DT—Grady Jackson, Probable
CB—Brent Grimes, Questionable

Denver's linebacking corps has suffered a major hit, seeing as all of the Broncos' original starters have suffered an injury that has kept them out of at least one game. Selvin Young will start on Sunday and Tatum Bell will back him up.

As for the Falcons, they have injury trouble on the offensive line, but Michael Turner's numbers have shown that it doesn't really matter.

Fantasy Predictions

Atlanta

QB—Matt Ryan: 22-33, 267 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB—Michael Turner: 22 carries, 96 yards, 0 TD
WR—Roddy White: 7 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD
WR—Michael Jenkins: 5 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD
DE—John Abraham: 2 sacks, 6 tackles, forced fumble
LB—Michael Boley: 9 tackles, fumble recovery
CB—Chris Houston: 7 tackles, 1 INT
SS—Lawyer Milloy: 8 tackles

Denver

QB—Jay Cutler: 25-32, 282 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
WR—Brandon Marshall: 8 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD
WR—Eddie Royal: 6 catches, 91 yards, 1 TD
TE—Tony Scheffler: 3 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
DE—Elvis Dumervil: 2 sacks, 5 tackles
LB—Wesley Woodyard: 9 tackles
CB—Dre' Bly: 7 tackles, 1 INT
FS—Marquand Manuel: 8 tackles

Denver 27  Atlanta 20

Atlanta is an improved football team that will see its ups and downs, and I feel this is a week the Falcons will be upset. Denver is a great offensive team that will be able to shred Atlanta's defense. I believe this game could go down to a last-minute drive for either team.