Fantasy Football Week 3: Start and Sit for Falcons vs. Saints

The Falcons are surprisingly fantasy relevant this year, having produced impressive score totals for several players in the first two weeks. Couple that with a Monday Night Football game against what could be the worst defense in the NFL (again) and you could have big fantasy days on the horizon.

New Orleans also returns home against what has been a shaky Atlanta defense, setting up Saints players for potentially big days as well. In what projects as one of the highest scoring match-ups of the week, let’s take a look at what players should be high or low on your list.

Falcons

Start

QB Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan is the #1 QB in fantasy, depending on your scoring. I don’t think I’ve ever typed those words before. Until he shows signs of slowing down, start him in favorable match-ups. The Saints are absolutely decimated at CB and will be covering WRs with guys like Sterling Moore and B.W. Webb. Ryan should have another great game.

TE Jacob Tamme

Tamme has seen a large share of the targets in the Atlanta offense, and has turned those into solid fantasy days in the first few weeks. In PPR leagues, Tamme is the #2 overall TE. Hooper has started to see more looks, but you should still start Tamme as a TE1 against a suspect Saints D.

RB Devonta Freeman and RB Tevin Coleman

The timeshare that has developed between these two has ultimately hurt the value of Freeman. However, both are still start-able assets, particularly in good match-ups. Freeman still gets the majority of the work on the ground and is in the conversation as an RB2. Coleman is going to be mixed in and should have FLEX-worthy numbers this week, with the upside for more.

Sit

Falcons WRs not named Julio Jones

Somebody other than Julio Jones is going to have a big day on Monday Night, but good luck predicting who it is. Until we get a more consistent usage pattern, it’s going to be a dart throw every week. If you absolutely need a FLEX, Sanu is the one to target, but it’s a risky play.

Saints

Start

WR Brandin Cooks

Cooks has had an excellent start to the season, particularly in PPR leagues. The Saints will be trying to attack the Falcons deep on Monday (something Atlanta looked vulnerable to in Week 1 vs. TB), giving Cooks the opportunity for a big game. He’s got the best chance to be the highest scoring Saints WR.

QB Drew Brees

Brees will be at home against the Falcons. He always seems to be great against our defense, and I don’t expect Monday to be any different. Start him as a high floor QB1 this week.

Sit

RB Mark Ingram

I love Ingram as a fantasy player, and he was one of the most consistent fantasy contributors last season. Unfortunately, the Saints have not been using him in the passing game this season, significantly hurting his floor. The Falcons have been tough on RBs this season, and I expect that trend to continue.

Kevin’s Spicy Play of the Week

TE Coby Fleener

Fleener has been terrible this season and is on the verge of being unplayable in fantasy. He’s just not very good. Even though Brees has been giving him consistent targets, he’s done nothing with them. However, the Falcons have notoriously struggled against Saints TEs. With De’Vondre Campbell also out of the lineup, Fleener might be a sneaky streaming option this week.

I hope you all crush your fantasy leagues this week. If you have general fantasy or line-up questions, feel free to @ me.