NFL Tickets
Saturday night kicks off the most important time of the year.
What? No, not the holidays. The fantasy championships!
The Atlanta Falcons visit the Detroit Lions in a rare edition of Saturday night football. The Falcons have already locked up a playoff spot and the Lions well, better luck next year. However, this game does have a plethora of implications. Fantasy implications, that is.
Can you trust Matthew Stafford?
Negative. No way, Jose. Not a chance. Ok, I get it. A simple “no” would have sufficed. Just wanted to emphasize that unless you don’t have better options, you cannot trust Stafford in your fantasy championship. He is one of the most sporadic quarterbacks in all of football and faces a very stout Falcons secondary. This defensive unit has picked off Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning a combined 10 times this season. Those aren’t exactly slouches at the quarterback position, either. Stafford can get the garbage time points but don’t expect a ton of production, as the Falcons have only allowed 13 touchdown passes all year, which ties for the league lead.
Roddy White listed as questionable
White has a banged up knee and is declared questionable for Saturday night. He fought through the injury last week and played. Despite the current status of the Pro Bowl wideout, I full expect White to be out there. He has never missed a game due to injury in his entire 8-year career and practiced both Thursday and Friday this week. I’d be a tad bit nervous about playing him, but how can you afford to sit this guy? Proceed with caution.
Tony Scheffler may be a sneaky play
If you have been reading my columns this week, you know that I’m high on Scheffler. It isn’t because he has an unbelievable skill set or anything. I mean, he’s talented don’t get me wrong, but it’s more about what’s around him. Nothing. Outside of Calvin Johnson, the Lions have guys like Kris Durham and Mike Thomas, who are not exactly threats to opposing defenses. Detroit will have to sling it to keep up in this game. Scheffler is averaging a healthy 8.5 targets over his last two games and should continue to see those looks, especially since Brandon Pettigrew is doubtful.
It’ll be ugly, but Michael Turner will continue to produce fantasy numbers
There is absolutely nothing exciting about watching Michael Turner run the football. However, fantasy owners do get excited once he finds pay dirt, which has been happening very often lately. Turner the (not so) Burner has found the end zone in five straight games, salvaging his poor fantasy output. I see Mat Ryan and that offense moving the ball with ease, getting Turner into the goal line situations where he is relevant. However, the Lions defense has surrendered 11 runs of 20 yards or more this year, so don’t be surprised if Turner breaks one. Ok, maybe not. But you never know!
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy football columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
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