Atlanta Falcons To Sit And Start Against The Chicago Bears

The Falcons have been a bit of a fantasy quagmire in recent weeks, delivering relatively mediocre weeks from key offensive players outside Julio Jones and delivering on back-to-back putrid defensive performances. With a return home to the Georgia Dome facing a team that has talent but has scuffled in a similar fashion to the Falcons, that trend should reverse itself.

That's not to say the Bears are bad by any stretch of the imagination. They have true weapons on offense and legitimate talent on defense, so I'm not suggesting you take them likely. I am suggesting you can start some Falcons you might have thought twice about otherwise.

Start

QB Matt Ryan: Ryan has had consecutive relatively disappointing weeks from a fantasy perspective, and that's hurt my team just as much as it has hurt yours. The Bears have the personnel of a good defense but don't always play like one, and Ryan is back in the comfort of the dome with Justin Blalock and Harry Douglas potentially returning. I'd start him regardless, but upgrade him if those two return.

RB Steven Jackson: The touchdowns still aren't necessarily flowing for Jackson, but he got one last weekend, the team's been involving him more through the air and he still gets the bulk of the carries in the backfield. I'd view him as more of an RB3/flex with upside than a legitimate RB2, but I think he's worthy of a play this week.

RB Antone Smith: There's so much unpredictability associated with Antone that you probably don't want to use him as more than a Flex, but if he breaks one big play he's usually good for a score and anywhere from 40-75 yards. A worthwhile gamble, in my opinion.

WR Julio Jones: A one-man wrecking machine for the offense and the beneficiary of a ton of Matt Ryan targets. Start him with confidence every single week.

WR Roddy White: Again, as a Flex or WR3. Roddy's going to get back on track to some degree, and the cozy confines of the Dome would seem to be an excellent place to do so.

Sit

All Other Receivers: Devin Hester's unreliable for fantasy purposes, as we've covered in recent weeks. Harry Douglas is no lock to return. Levine Toilolo hasn't done enough to warrant a look even in leagues that force you to play two tight ends.

RB Devonta Freeman: We're all waiting for Freeman to bust out in earnest, and he's had a handful of nice plays in recent weeks. Until the coaching staff gives him more than 10-15 snaps a game, though, it's not worth your time to play him.

Falcons Defense: Never start the Falcons defense.

Who will you be starting and sitting from this team?