Jaguars vs. Falcons: 4 Storylines for the Week 15 Matchup

If you're looking for a reason to watch Thursday night's game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons, here are four.

On paper this game is a significant mismatch, with the Falcons currently a huge 11.5-point favorite at home against the Jags. However, there are some interesting fantasy football matchups and storylines to follow in this game. 

Here are four things to watch for tonight and the impact it could have on your fantasy football team.

Atlanta Receivers vs. Jacksonville's Secondary

Roddy White

There are few wide receivers hotter right now than White.

White has scored a touchdown in three consecutive games and has 56 fantasy points in the last four games.

Don't be scared off by the fact that Jacksonville has the fourth-ranked pass defense in the league. In three previous matchups against top 10 pass defenses this season, White caught a touchdown in each of those games (Eagles, Lions, Texans).

White is a must-start tonight, but you knew that already.  

Julio Jones

Jones is coming off one of his best performances as a pro in Week 14 and is too hot to bench this week.

Jones caught three passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Carolina Panthers. He also was targeted eight times, including multiple times in the red zone.

Now that he is completely healed from a hamstring injury that hampered him much of the year, be confident about putting Jones in your lineup tonight.   

Tony Gonzalez

Despite the emergence of Julio Jones, Gonzalez is still getting plenty of targets. In the last two games, Gonzalez has 21 targets, which is two more than Jones during that same time.

The only statistic that has suffered is his number of touchdowns. Gonzalez has been kept out of the end zone the last three games. This recent drought follows a streak of three games with a touchdown reception.

Gonzalez is still very valuable, especially in PPR leagues and leagues that require a tight end.

Michael Turner vs. Jacksonville's Run Defense

Turner has been a frustrating player for fantasy owners recently, with three straight games of subpar performances. In his defense, Turner was going against a top 10 rush defense in two of those games (Vikings, Texans), but missed an opportunity last week against the Carolina Panthers and their 23rd-ranked rush defense.   

Turner finished Week 14 with 76 yards rushing and a sore groin. While that injury is a concern, it doesn't look like it will keep him out tonight.

Turner has proven too valuable this season to sit on your bench now. Plus, he's facing a Jaguars defense that has surrendered four rushing touchdowns in the last two weeks.

Matt Ryan vs. Jacksonville's Pass Defense

Ryan is currently on an impressive six-game streak that has put him in the good graces of his fantasy owners.

Ryan was the highest-scoring quarterback last week with 28 fantasy points. He also has four games with 20 or more fantasy points since Week 9; only Aaron Rodgers has more during that span with five.

Jacksonville enters tonight's game ranked fourth in the league against the pass. But don't let that statistic mislead you, they're not that good.

In the last five games, the Jaguars have faced just one top 10 fantasy quarterback, Philip Rivers, and he threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan is eighth among fantasy quarterbacks in scoring this season.

Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Atlanta's Run Defense

Jones-Drew is on an unbelievable scoring streak and is the only Jaguars player worth starting tonight.

In his last two games, Jones-Drew has 61 fantasy points, which is the most by any player during that span. 

While Jones-Drew's numbers have been extremely impressive, they have come against two of the worst run defenses in the league (San Diego and Tampa Bay). Jones-Drew faces a stiffer challenge tonight against an Atlanta defense ranked fifth against the run.

However, that Falcons defense has been exposed recently, surrendering 219 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the last two games.

Look for Jones-Drew to keep his momentum going tonight, just four days after scoring four touchdowns in Week 14.