Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Commanders removed QB Taylor Heinicke from the 2nd half of Saturday's loss to the 49ers, replacing him with Carson Wentz. Heinicke completed 13 of 18 throws for 166 yards (9.2 per attempt), 2 TDs and 1 INT. He also lost a fumble. Wentz completed 12 of 16 passes for 123 yards (7.7 per attempt) and 1 TD. HC Ron Rivera told reporters after the game that he's not sure who he'll start in Week 17 against the Browns.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins threw for 299 yards and 3 TDs in Saturday's narrow victory over the Giants. He hit TE T.J. Hockenson for 2 scores and found WR Justin Jefferson for the other. Those 2 accounted for 66.7% of Cousins' total pass attempts, drawing 16 targets apiece. No other Viking saw more than 4. The Vikings head to Green Bay in Week 17 to face a Packers defense that ranks among the worst against the run, but negative as a scoring matchup for QBs.

Falcons WR Drake London led the way in targets (9), receptions (7) and receiving yards (96) in Saturday's loss at Baltimore. It marked his 3rd straight game with at least 9 looks and 6 catches. It was also London's 2nd time reaching 95 yards in that span. That marks 3 strong outings in the 4 games the team has played since losing TE Kyle Pitts for the season. London looks like at least a solid WR3 for PPR lineups against the Cardinals in Week 17. It helps his outlook that rookie QB Desmond Ridder fared better at Baltimore: 218 yards on 22-of-33 passing.

Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier once again the team in rushing for Sunday's loss to the Ravens. He rushed 18 times for 74 yards (4.1 per carry), compared with just 8-17 for RB Cordarrelle Patterson (2.1). Allgeier also beat his backfield mate in targets (5-1), receptions (4-1) and receiving yards (43-14). The rookie will be an intriguing play in Week 17 against a Cardinals defense that entered this week as the 5th most friendly RB-scoring matchup by our adjusted fantasy points allowed.

The Ravens have ruled DL Calais Campbell (knee) and CB Marcus Peters (calf) out for Saturday's game against the Falcons.

Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke put forth a gutsy effort, completing 17 of 28 attempts for 249 yards and 1 TD in Sunday's loss to the Giants. Heinicke also added 33 yards on the ground. A few penalties cost Heinicke and the Commanders both real-life and fantasy points, but managers that perhaps streamed the signal-caller in superflex leagues can feel okay about the results. However, Week 16 will not be an ideal time to consider Heinicke as the Commanders are preparing for a showdown against a 49ers defense that ranks as the 3rd-toughest matchup for QBs this season. You'd have to be insanely desperate or manage an injury-riddled roster to go with Heinicke next week.

Falcons rookie RB Tyler Allgeier racked up 139 yards and a TD on a team-high 17 carries in Sunday's loss to the Saints. He edged RB Cordarrelle Patterson by 3 carries and trailed Patterson 3-1 in targets. Patterson took his 14 rushes for 52 yards (3.7 per attempt) and a TD. He caught just 1 of his 3 targets for no gain. Week 16 holds a terrible rushing matchup with the Ravens, who entered the week 7th in our adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs -- and have played even better more recently. A Week 17 matchup with Arizona looks much friendlier to Atlanta rushing.

Falcons rookie WR Drake London drew a team-high 11 targets in Sunday's loss to the Saints, catching 7 for 70 yards. It marked the 2nd straight game of double-digit targets for London, who garnered 42.3% of Atlanta's total attempts in the debut for rookie QB Desmond Ridder. London also accounted for 53.8% of the team's total completions and 72.2% of the receiving yards. That makes London a worthwhile option against Baltimore and Arizona the next 2 weeks, despite the limited QB and offense.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins threw for 460 yards and 4 TDs (with 2 INTs) in Saturday's comeback win over the Colts. He racked up a season-high 54 pass attempts in a game that found Minnesota fall behind 33-0 before roaring back and winning in OT. Cousins hit K.J. Osborn, Justin Jefferson, Dalvin cook and Adam Thielen for scores. It's his 2nd straight game with more than 400 yards passing. Minnesota gets the Giants and Packers in the final 2 weeks for most fantasy football leagues -- neither a scary matchup.

Cardinals WR Rondale Moore (groin) has been placed on IR. With only 4 games remaining, his 2022 season is over. Moore averaged 8.0 targets, 5.9 catches and 59 yards in 7 healthy games this season -- but he's now missed 12 of 34 games through 2 NFL seasons. Moore also had tons of trouble staying healthy at Purdue. He remains a solid hold in dynasty leagues but will be a double-digit round pick in early 2023 redrafts.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins racked up 425 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's loss to the Lions. He completed 31 of 41 throws, with more than half of his yardage going to WR Justin Jefferson. Cousins found WR Adam Thielen and WR K.J. Osborn for his TDs. Week 15 holds a Colts defense that has played the run tougher than the pass this season, which could support more Cousins production.

Cardinals WR Rondale Moore (groin) is out for Monday night's game vs. the Patriots. WR Greg Dortch (thumb) isn't listed on the final injury report after a full week of practice, putting him in line to operate as Arizona's primary slot receiver this week. Dortch has averaged 8.3 targets in 4 games with a 70+% snap rate this season -- although we wouldn't bet on quite that much volume this week with WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown both playing.

Cardinals WR Rondale Moore (groin) did not practice on Thursday. WR Greg Dortch (hand) was a full participant, so he should be ready for Monday night's game vs. the Patriots. If Moore misses that one, Dortch will be in the PPR WR3 discussion.

Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke threw for 275 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's tie with the Giants. He found WR Terry McLaurin and WR Jahan Dotson for TDs. Heinicke threw no INTs in the game but fumbled twice, losing 1. He also took 5 sacks. Washington gets a Week 14 bye before a rematch with the Giants.

Falcons WR Drake London delivered 6 catches for 95 yards on 12 targets in Sunday's loss to the Steelers. His 12 targets constituted half of QB Marcus Mariota's pass attempts. London also collected 46.2% of the team's receptions and 56.9% of the receiving yards. Those shares will be tough to replicate. There's certainly room for London to continue dominating the receiving categories the rest of the way, with TE Kyle Pitts done for the year. This was the 1st time since Week 3, however, that he exceeded 40 receiving yards. London entered the day averaging just 3.4 receptions per game. So there will be risk in trusting this performance to carry over after the Week 14 bye.

Falcons EDGE Arnold Ebiketie (forearm) is inactive for today's game against the Steelers.

Falcons HC Arthur Smith said Wednesday that TE Kyle Pitts will miss the rest of the season with his knee injury. He underwent surgery on Tuesday (November 29) for what was reportedly a torn MCL. We don't have an official recovery timeline, but we'd expect Pitts to be available for at least some of the offseason program and back to 100% by training camp. He had a frustrating 2nd season but remains a high-upside dynasty asset with plenty of 2023 bounce-back potential. We'll be curious to see exactly where he goes in early drafts this coming offseason.

Bears HC Matt Eberflus confirmed on Monday that WR Darnell Mooney will miss the rest of the 2022 season with the left ankle injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Jets. We'll look for further details on Mooney's timetable to return, but he should at least be ready for 2023 training camp. Mooney finishes his 3rd NFL season with a 40-493-2 line on 61 targets. He's stretched as a #1 WR but can certainly be a quality #2 for the rebuilding Bears.

Bears WR Darnell Mooney "likely" needs season-ending surgery to repair torn ligaments in his ankle, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. If that's the case, Chicago will be without the guy who drew 26.6% of the team's targets over the first 10 games of the season. It'd open up opportunity for WR Chase Claypool and TE Cole Kmet. But this will remain a low-volume passing game, so it's tough to get excited about any of the pass catchers. Even Mooney sat just 45th among WRs in PPR points through Week 11.

Falcons rookie WR Drake London checked in just 3rd on the team in targets and caught 2 passes for 29 yards in the 1st game since TE Kyle Pitts landed on IR. London did lead Atlanta in routes, running on all but 1 of QB Marcus Mariota's 26 dropbacks. But his 4 targets trailed WR Olamide Zaccheaus (8) and RB Cordarrelle Patterson (5). London scored in consecutive games before Sunday's dud but hasn't exceeded 40 receiving yards in a game since Week 3. He's tough to make a starting case for in most fantasy football formats.