The Week 14 matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers features the only undefeated team left in the NFL looking to preserve their record. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
Fantasy football projections, Week 14: Falcons-Panthers featuring Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Cam Newton
We break down the Week 14 matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers.
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback Matt Ryan has always been on the cusp of the NFL’s elite when it comes to being one of the game’s top passers, but it may be time to sit him on the bench. Over the past four games, Ryan has thrown six interceptions compared to just five touchdown passes. That’s not a good ratio for anybody, but it’s especially bad for a quarterback of his caliber. Add that to the fact Ryan faces a top-notch Panthers defense this week and it’s the fantasy playoffs, and it’s easy to see why owners might shy away from using Ryan as their No. 1 quarterback this week.
If there is good news for Ryan it’s that the Carolina Panthers actually gave up a lot of fantasy points to the New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees last week, so Ryan could surprise some people and bounce back. If he does it likely means a productive day for wide receiver Julio Jones. It’s hard to believe he hasn’t scored a touchdown in four weeks, but he’s too good to be held out of the end zone for too long. Jones will still be in fantasy lineups everywhere, but his production levels will depend on how well Carolina plays on Sunday. The odds don’t appear to be in Atlanta’s favor overall.
Carolina Panthers
Few would have pegged Carolina’s Cam Newton as a potential MVP candidate coming into the season. Now, given that his team is just four games away from a perfect 16-0 record, it would be hard to argue how anybody else in the NFL could overthrow him for the honor. Newton has thrown at least five touchdown passes in two of the last three games. Even against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12 where he didn’t throw a single touchdown, he still found the end zone using his legs and the Panthers still dominated the opposition defensively. Newton could set the world on fire once again against the Falcons this week.
Newton’s outstanding performance last week certainly helped wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn caught five out of 10 targets for 80 yards and two touchdowns last week. He’s not exactly a premier receiver, but he has now scored six times on the year. Unfortunately for Ginn, he’s had problems securing targets throughout the season and he’s up against a stellar Atlanta Falcons secondary unit. Despite his huge game last week, putting him back on your fantasy bench is probably the smarter thing to do in Week 14.
* * *
SB Nation presents: Cam Newton won’t stop until a kid gets his TD ball
