Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons can afford to rest Julio Jones again this week

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:11 p.m. ET

Fansided, Isaiah Joseph/FanSided via Blogging Dirty

It would be wise for Dan Quinn to let Julio Jones watch from the sideline as the Atlanta Falcons battle the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Sorry to fantasy football GM’s around the globe. Even if Julio Jones is feeling remarkably better prior this weekend, he should sit out another game for precautionary measures. There is no better opponent for playing without your top receiver than the bottom-feeder 49ers.

San Francisco rolls into the Georgia Dome at 1-12 and with the 32nd ranked defense. Squaring off against the top-ranked scoring offense in Atlanta is a recipe for disaster. A recipe that doesn’t require main ingredients to result in a great meal.

Last week, Matt Ryan threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns as Taylor Gabriel, Aldrick Robinson, and Nick Williams stepped up mightily in Julio Jones’s absence.

Taylor. Gabriel. GONE. #RiseUp https://t.co/vi0wIdYujR

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 11, 2016

Expect more big plays against a San Francisco defense that is significantly worse than what we saw from the LA Rams. The 49ers are atrocious against the run and should allow big days to Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Atlanta could also get a boost with Mohamed Sanu likely returning to the line-up.

Sanu’s return incorporates a bigger, more physical presence to the Falcons’ wide-receiver corps. There’s also a good chance Dan Quinn opts to keep Sanu’s workload light and simple.

It just isn’t smart for the Falcons to risk re-injury to either of their top receivers by pushing it against such a bad football team. Coaches won’t admit to it, but surely the Falcons are looking ahead on their schedule. Up ahead is a road game against the Carolina Panthers and a final home showdown with the New Orleans Saints.

On Wednesday, Quinn declared Julio’s injury to be a toe-sprain instead of the initial diagnosis of turf toe. Quinn informed the media on the significance of this change by stating:

“A sprain is definitely something that is going to get better faster than a long term turf toe that can need more work. That’s the good news.”

We hate to go into any game overconfident, but its hard when such a bad football team comes to town. The 49ers simply lack enough talent. Their recent play seems as if they’re more interested in securing the 1st overall pick in the 2017 draft. Anything can happen on any given Sunday but come this Sunday, there’s little-to-no doubt the Falcons roll to their 9th win.

Julio should rest well. His services will certainly be welcome back next week.

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