Falcons Post-Week 2 Fantasy Outlook
By Adnan Ikic
The Atlanta Falcons won a shootout in Oakland, bouncing back in a big way following a Week 1 defeat. This victory had a lot of fantasy football implications.
It feels good when the Falcons get a victory, doesn’t it? Monday morning is all the more bearable, and the bragging rights are alive for at least a week.
The game against the Raiders turned into a shoot-out – something that goes very well with fantasy football.
Here is the week 1 Falcons fantasy review, and outlook heading into week 2.
(Note: This is based on NFL.com standard scoring)
1. Devonta Freeman
The committee approach: Devonta Freeman (17 carries, 93 rushing yards, 0 catches, 0 touchdowns: 9.3 points)
Devonta Freeman had a very strong game on the ground – rushing for 5.47 yards per carry – but there should be an uneasy feeling for Freeman fantasy owners after this one.
RB Tevin Coleman got 45% of the running back touches, including both receptions. It’s painfully clear to Freeman owners that this is now a full on timeshare.
The Florida State product still had a solid bit of production from a points standpoint, but the lack of action in the passing game is a concern moving forward.
Analysis: Fantasy owners who took Freeman in the first round should be very worried about the presence of Tevin Coleman, and OC Kyle Shanahan’s insistence of getting the former Indiana Hoosier involved.
Last week, what Freeman owners could hang their hat on was the fact that Devonta got the redzone work. That, however, wasn’t the case in week 2. Coleman was the featured redzone back in this one, at one point even getting three straight touches near the goal line on a first half drive. He also punched in the only rushing touchdown of the game.
Coleman out-touched Freeman in the redzone 5 to 3, just one week after Freeman had 6 redzone snaps to Coleman’s 1.
Against the Saints next week, consider Freeman a low-end RB2, because of the terrible defense New Orleans trots out. He’ll be nothing more than a high-end flex on most weeks. If you can, try to find someone who will overpay for Freeman in a trade because of name value.