Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina Panthers
Spread: Panthers -2.5 | O/U: 49
Week 8 starts with an NFC battle between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons. heading into Thursday Night Football these two teams have a combined record of 4-10. There is a big difference between these teams. Carolina was meant to be in rebuilding mode as they gelled under a new coach, new quarterback, and a revamped squad. Atlanta was a playoff contender with the high-powered offense that was supposed to battle for a wild card slot. Roles have reversed after Atlanta nightmare start to the season and we enter week 8 with the Panthers being favored by 2.5 points.
These two teams faced off already earlier this year, and the Panthers jumped out to an early lead against the Falcons. They scored 20 unanswered points in the first half before holding on to the win 23-16. So what does each team have to do to win this game? Let’s break it down below.
How Do The Atlanta Falcons Win The Game?
For Atlanta to win this game they will need to out fire the Panthers in a shootout. Their defense isn’t going to hold any team from reaching the end zone and because of that Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and others must produce major stat lines for Atlanta to have a chance.
The key for the Falcons will be the running game and Todd Gurley as Carolina rushing defense is the weaker component on their defense (they are the 18th ranked rushing defense compared to the 10th ranked passing defense).
How Do The Carolina Panthers Win The Game?
Carolina will win this game through the air with Teddy Bridgewater throwing the ball to D.J.Moore and Robby Anderson as the Falcons passing defense is 31st in the NFL. I don’t expect Christian McCaffrey to be back this week as Mike Davis has done a respectable job as his replacement. This allows Christian McCaffrey ten more days of rest before they square off against the Super Bowl Champion, Kansas City Chiefs in week 9.
This game has the potential to be a shootout and high scoring, which means we could see a lot of potential breakout stars for the Showdown slate in daily fantasy. So who should you pick for your lineup? Let’s break that down below.
Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan ($11,000)
Matt Ryan is coming off of a 338 yard, 1 touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions. I expect a similar stat line in this game. As state above, this game could be a shootout. Carolina defense had a rough go last week against the Saints. Carolina lost to New Orleans 27-24 Sunday after allowing the Saints to score on five of their first six drives. They were 6-for-6 on third-down conversions in the first half while capitalizing on their red zone opportunities. I think Matt Ryan with his arsenal can do the same.
Teddy Bridgewater ($10,600)
The Panthers have focused on their passing attack, jumping to 11th in the league by averaging 263.7 yards per game. Bridgewater is posting 8.2 yards per attempt, tied for sixth in the league, and hasn’t been afraid to throw the ball deep to wide receivers Robby Anderson and DJ Moore. Teddy Bridgewater last time facing the Falcons this year threw for 313 yards with 2 touchdowns. Teddy should dissect this porous Falcons passing defense.
Running Backs
Todd Gurley ($8,400)
Todd Gurley is coming off a two-touchdown game last week, and although one was an accident that led to the Falcons losing, the fantasy points still helped out his owners. The last time Gurley faced off against the Panthers he had 14 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown. With a weaker run defense lining up across from Gurley you must plug him into your lineup.
Christian McCaffrey ($11,800)/ Mike Davis ($8,800)
Christian McCaffrey playing? Even though McCaffrey has returned to practice this week. I wouldn’t expect to see him until week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. If he does play, his cost alone should make you pivot to other players to build a stronger lineup.
Mike Davis is a decent play. Although he only ran for 12 yards last week, Mike Davis overall has been a respectable replacement for McCaffrey. The last time they faced the Falcons Davis ran for 89 yards and caught 9 balls for 60 yards and a touchdown. Even though the Falcons have only allowed 73.3 yards in their last 3 games, Davis could earn you points through the passing game again.
Wide Receivers
Calvin Ridley ($10,200)/ Julio Jones ($9,800)/ Russell Gage ($4,200)
Calvin had a great game last time out against this division rival. He recorded 8 catches for 136 yards against this Panthers defense. He is also the 1st wide receiver this year to surpass the 1,000 air yard mark. His counterpart, Julio Jones didn’t play in the last matchup versus the Panthers. But Julio has had over 90 yards in his last two games compared to Calvin average of 65 in the last two games. Save some money and look to add Julio to your lineup.
Russell Gage has averaged 59.5 yards his last two games but hasn’t scored a touchdown since week 2. If we use him in the lineup it’s a high-risk high reward play at his salary.
Robby Anderson ($9,200)/ D.J. Moore ($8,800)/ Curtis Samuel ($5,400)
Both Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore had great games against the Falcons in week 5. Anderson caught 8 balls for 112 yards, while Moore caught 4 balls for 93 yards and a touchdown. D.J. Moore has 93 yards in each of his last two games and scored two touchdowns in his last game. Anderson has come back down to earth after his hellacious start to the season averaging 75.5 yards in his last two matchups. I expect both wide receivers to have productive games but the hot hand at the moment is D.J. Moore and at the cheaper price point this allows me to maneuver my lineup for its highest potential.
Curtis Samuel is a home run play at best as he has no touchdowns on the season and has only cracked 50+ yards once(51 yards). Don’t waste your salary here.
Tight Ends
Hayden Hurst ($6,400)
Hayden Hurst has averaged 62.5 yards in his last two games. he will be looking to make more of an impact this time around against Atlanta as he only caught 2 balls for 8 yards in their last matchup. The Panthers defense does a good job of wrapping up the tight end in matchups as they have only given up 253 yards and 3 touchdowns all season to this position. I would avoid Hurst this week.
Ian Thomas ($2,600)
Yes, Ian Thomas is cheap. Yes, the Falcons are the worst against tight end as this year giving up 500 yards and 8 touchdowns. No, you shouldn’t feel good to use him as he has yet to break the 20-yard mark this season. This is the ultimate high-risk high reward play.
Defense and Kickers
Joey Slye ($4,000)/ Younghoe Koo (3,800)/ Panthers D ($3,400)/ Falcons($3,200)
In this bunch of available flex plays. The one target should be Younghoe Koo. Koo had provided steady production with an average of three field-goal conversions per game Weeks 1 through 6, even though he wasn’t given a single try last week. With the chance of a shootout on the board, I expect his kicking leg to come into play for Thursday Night Football.
Prediction/ Free DFS Showdown Head To Head Lineup
Carolina Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-20
DFS Showdown Head To Head Lineup
- Todd Gurley ($12,600) *Captain*
- Teddy Bridgewater ($10,600)
- Younghoe Koo ($3,800)
- D.J. Moore ($8,200)
- Robby Anderson ($9,200)
- Russel Gage ($4,200)
