Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons Post-Week 5 Fantasy Outlook

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:09 p.m. ET

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Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta won its fourth game in a row, each one being more impressive than the last. The Falcons won in Denver, knocking off the defending Superbowl champions.

I’ll just let wrestling legend Ric Flair take this one:

WOOOO! What a win. The Falcons went into Denver and handed the defending Superbowl champions their first loss of the season, while at the same time improving to a division best 4-1.

While this game wasn’t a shootout (it was never expected to be one), the offense moved the ball very well and came away with some fantasy points.

Here is the week 5 Falcons fantasy review, and outlook heading into week 6.

(Note: This is based on NFL.com standard scoring)

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs the ball against Denver Broncos nose tackle Sylvester Williams (92) and strong safety T.J. Ward (43) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

1. Devonta Freeman

Running With a Purpose: Devonta Freeman (23 carries, 88 rushing yards, 3 catches, 35 receiving yards, 1 rushing touchdown: 18.30 points)

In what was, yet again, a genius game-plan by offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, the Atlanta offense flourished behind its two stud running backs.

Devonta Freeman carried the load in this one, getting a season high 23 carries, and 26 total touches. The Florida State alum was given the mission of moving the offense through the tackles and he succeeded in a big way, despite the sub-4.0 ypc average.

Freeman scored his touchdown on the first drive of the afternoon, after Dan Quinn made a gutsy call to go for it on 4th and goal.

After not being a factor in the receiving game last week, Freeman was back to his usual tricks through the air — he had 3 catches for 35 receiving yards — coupled with the rushing yards, that put him over 100 total yards on the day.

Analysis: In what was a tough match-up on paper, Freeman showed out and rewarded fantasy owners for putting their faith in him.

He got 72.2% of the running back touches, the largest percentage to date. However, that dramatic split must have been attributed to giving Tevin Coleman a breather, as the second year man ran for more than 130 receiving yards and was given sporadic breaks, playing at altitude.

Don’t expect Freeman to get this many touches against Seattle next week, but fire him up as a low end RB2 in a tough match-up against one of the game’s best run defenses.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) and quarterback Matt Ryan (2) celebrate the win over the Denver Broncos in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2. Julio Jones

Fantasy Disappointment of the Day: Julio Jones (2 catches, 29 receiving yards: 2.90 points)

Following his incredible 300-yard performance against the Carolina Panthers, Denver was determined to not let Julio Jones beat them. They succeeded in that mission, as Jones went for just 29 total yards, after having 0 in the first half.

The former top ten pick out of Alabama was facing double teams throughout the afternoon, yet still just barely missed out on two long completions as a result of Matt Ryan overthrows. Had the two hooked up on those deep passing plays, Jones’ fantasy day would have been a lot more bearable for owners.

The Broncos did a good job covering Julio, but that extra attention payed to him resulted in a lot of one on one looks around the field. This is just the second time this season where Jones has failed to record a touchdown reception.

Analysis: Just like after the Saints game, this is no time to panic about Julio Jones’ fantasy prospects. Every single time a receiver went over 300 yards (six in total), in NFL history, he totaled less than 100 yards the next game. Denver was not going to let Jones beat them.

Julio Jones will be primed for a bounce back next week against Richard Sherman and the Seattle Seahawks — he’s an every-week WR1.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) looks to pass the football in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

3. Matt Ryan

The General: Matt Ryan (15-28, 267 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 0 interceptions, 3 carries, 3 rushing yards: 14.98 points)

Matt Ryan showed incredible poise and leadership in the face of some stiff adversity, which was in the form of an incredible Denver defense on the road.

Ryan led the offense to a touchdown on the first drive of the game — the big play of that drive being a 48-yard pass completion to Tevin Coleman. The QB then hit Jacob Tamme on a 3rd and goal, but the veteran out of Kentucky was just inches short of the goal line. Had he scored there, Ryan’s fantasy day would have looked a lot better.

Matt Ryan didn’t have a great fantasy point total, but that wasn’t really expected. He had by far the best performance among QBs against the Denver defense this season, and still managed to pick up a solid number of points considering the circumstances.

A third quarter 31-yard touchdown pass to Tevin Coleman on 2nd and 19 represented Ryan’s only score of the day. There were no turnovers to speak of for the Boston College product.

Analysis: Ryan is still the number 1 scoring QB in fantasy football, but he faces yet another stiff test next week against a stifling Seahawks defense in front of the 12th man. Seattle gives up the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in the NFL.

Once again, I’m not going to tell you to bench Ryan, but if you’ve got a capable backup (like Brian Hoyer vs. the Jaguars or Matthew Stafford vs. the Rams) nobody would fault you for making a lineup change.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) carries the ball in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

4. Tevin Coleman

Tecoooooo-Rawww: Tevin Coleman (6 carries, 31 rushing yards, 4 catches, 132 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown: 22.30 points)

After not knowing if he would play at altitude or not, because he has the sickle cell trait, Tevin Coleman vaporized the Denver Broncos’ defense, as a focal point in the passing game.

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Coleman got his day off to a great start, snagging a 48-yard catch and run on the game’s first drive to set up the opening touchdown, and to set the tone for the entire afternoon.

In the end, the second year man finished with a game high 132 receiving yards, and a team high 4 receptions. The Broncos had linebackers covering him in the passing game, and that proved to be a fatal mistake.

The Indiana product also scored the team’s only receiving touchdown — a beautifully designed 31-yard catch to beat cover 2.

Analysis: Coleman, much like Freeman, is proving to be a must start at this point; he always has the potential to explode, because of his top end speed.

Consider Coleman a low end RB2/high end Flex against a Seattle defense that will likely key in on him after the game he just had.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos inside linebacker Todd Davis (51) tackles Atlanta Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme (83) short of the goal line in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

5. The Other Guys

Mohamed Sanu (3 catches, 43 receiving yards, 1 fumble: 2.30 points)

At this point, Sanu has been relegated to “the other guys” because of his disappointing fantasy play. He had 43 yards in this one, including a gorgeous 22-yard back shoulder catch in the third quarter, but he lost a fumble just a few plays later.

It’s disappointing that the Rutgers man couldn’t take advantage of the extra attention given to Julio Jones, and parlay that into a good fantasy day. Keep him buried on your bench for now.

Jacob Tamme (1 catch, 1 receiving yard: 0.10 points)

Tamme had just one yard in this one; but had he gone a few more inches on his one catch and crossed the goal-line, this would have been a very decent fantasy day.

The looks Tamme gets near the goal-line warrants a plug in when your starting TE has a bye, but he’s nothing more than a middling TE2 with some weekly upside.

Austin Hooper, Patrick DiMarco, Taylor Gabriel, Aldrick Robinson (2 catches combined, 27 receiving yards combined: 2.7 points combined)

Move along, nothing to see here.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons punter Matt Bosher (5) holds the ball for Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) field goal attempt in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

6. Matt Bryant and the Defense

Top Tier Kicker: Matt Bryant (2-2 PAT, 1 20-29, 1 30-39, 1 40-49: 11.0 points)

Playing against Denver’s defense actually helped Matt Bryant more than it hurt him, as the Falcons were still able to move the ball, but were stopped in field goal range multiple times.

Bryant converted on all five of his kicks, three of them being field goals. His day would have been even better had the Falcons opted to kick it on a late 4th down in field goal range, instead of trying to convert and run the clock down.

Analysis: Bryant has now racked up at least 9 fantasy points in every single game this season — that’s incredible consistency. The Baylor product is also now the second ranked kicker in fantasy football. Plug him into your lineup and forget about him until the bye week.

Defense Showing Out (6 sacks, 1 interception, 16 points allowed: 9.0 points)

The defense had itself a day, getting real pressure on rookie QB Paxton Lynch throughout the afternoon, and making his life miserable. Vic Beasley Jr. showed out with a career high 3.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. The 6 sacks were the most Atlanta has had in a single game in 11 years.

Ricardo Allen meanwhile got his first interception of the season, after Paxton Lynch launched a deep ball into double coverage from his own endzone (thanks to a great punt from Matt Bosher). Even without its four best linebackers, the Falcons defense played its most complete game of the season.

Analysis: The defense had yet another good day, and if they were playing a sputtering offense next week (like the Browns or Dolphins) I would advocate picking them up as a streamer, but they’re not. I still wouldn’t touch the Falcons defense yet: not with Seattle, San Diego, and Green Bay’s high powered offenses moving in.

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