Monday September 14, 2015
Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons

This will be one the most closely watched fantasy games of the week. This one is sure to be a shootout in the Georgia Dome. We all know about Chip Kelly’s high-powered offense and how Matt Ryan and company move the ball on their turf. You won’t want to start these defenses but there’s a ton of offensive players you should be starting.

Philadelphia Eagles: Key Players

QB Sam Bradford
Bradford should be in line for a huge day. As long as his knee doesn’t explode or his shoulder doesn’t collapse, he should have a big day. I’m still not 100 percent sold on Bradford, so this is more of a condemnation of the Falcons than a praise of Bradford or the Eagles.

Verdict: Start Bradford. This will apply to pretty much everybody that plays Atanta. He’s a tremendous DFS play as well.

RB DeMarco Murray
This is another gut I really don’t like this year. Nonetheless, if you drafted him, you better play him while he’s healthy because it’s not going to last. This is a great matchup but don’t count on production like last season.

Verdict: Start Murray. Like I said, I don’t love him at all this year. Still, you’re already invested and it’s a great matchup. If he has a huge week, sell high.

RB Ryan Mathews
If I don’t like Murray, I hate Matthews. Until Murray gets hurt, I’m benching Mathews. Mathews owners just need to hope that Murray gets hurt before Matthews does. The Eagles are like that fantasy owners that draft all the injury prone guys cheap and then can’t believe all their players are hurt come playoff time.

Verdict: Sit Mathews. He’s a backup now and is always a risk to leave injured. Good matchup but he may not even see double-digit touches.

WR Jordan Matthews
Matthews is the most valuable player in this offense. He is going to have a monster year. Look for him to explode in Atlanta. Don’t be shocked if he puts up high-end WR1 numbers this week.

Verdict: Start Matthews. This is a no-brainer. Matthews is a budding star, in a great situation with a great matchup. He is a must start this week.

WR Nelson Agholor
I’m not expecting a big year from Agholor this year. I expected him to be a bust before he was drafted. While he did fall into a perfect situation for skillset definitely improves his value, I would still like to see him produce before I plug him in as a starting wideout.

Verdict: Sit Agholor. The matchup is great but I’m just not sold on his talent. He was not worth of a first-round pick and I’d like to see him perform before I start him. He’s a bench stash for now.

Atlanta Falcons: Key Players

QB Matt Ryan
Much like Bradford, Ryan has a great matchups. The Eagles secondary is average at best, horrible at worst. Just because you play a cornerback like an elite CB1, doesn’t make him a CB1. Ryan has great weapons and is great at home.

Verdict: Start Ryan. This is a fantastic matchup and Julio Jones is an elite target. Look for a huge game from Ryan against Philly.

RB Tevin Coleman
Coleman is officially listed as the RB1 on the Falcons’ depth chart ahead of Devonta Freeman, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. However, Freeman was just upgraded to probable this week, which really hurts Coleman’s value.

Verdict: Start Coleman. Start him, but only as a flex option. The Falcons have struggled to get a running game going in past years behind a poor O-line. It’s a new system, nevertheless, Coleman is still only a flex option at this point.

RB Devonta Freeman
His workload is a complete mystery at this point as is his conditioning. I actually like Freeman more than Coleman this season in PPR leagues but not this week. There is too many questions surrounding him.

Verdict: Sit Freeman. Keep Freeman on the bench this week but keep him stashed on the bench. He’s going to have a good year. If he looks healthy this week, he may be worth a start next week.

WR Julio Jones
He is an elite WR1 this and every week. Barring injury, there should never be any question whether or not you start Jones.

Verdict: Start Jones. Always.

WR Roddy White
White has a laundry list of injuries piling up. Still, he has been consistent for years and he is listed as probable, so he will be suiting up. I like him but wouldn’t be surprised if he hits the wall this season.

Verdict: Start White. I very tentatively start White this week because of the matchup. If you have a better option, go with it.

Final Score
Philadelphia: 34
Atlanta: 27

Best Play
Eagles: Jordan Matthews
Falcons: Julio Jones

Sleeper
Darren Sproles

** Bonus Deep Sleeper **
Leonard Hankerson