Carolina Panthers starting running back Christian McCaffrey hopes to have a much better game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday after bombing in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie rushed nine times for 39 and caught two passes on four targets for 19 yards in the Panthers’ win last week. The Panthers’ offense struggled in Week 16, but McCaffrey out-touched and outperformed teammate Jonathan Stewart in the contest.
Fantasy football start/sit Week 17: What to do with Christian McCaffrey
The Panthers’ rookie will look to turn things around in a big division matchup Sunday. We look at the fantasy implications.
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McCaffrey will look to get back on track against the Falcons in the final game of the season. McCaffrey has his best rushing game of the season versus Atlanta in Week 9. He had a season-high 20 touches for 94 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ win. The Falcons are stingy versus rushers but very generous to pass catchers out of the backfield. They allow the most receptions and sixth-most receiving yards to RBs in the league.
Fantasy impact: This is a big game for Panthers, who are playing for a division title. McCaffrey will be a big part of the Panthers’ offense if they expect to win. The Falcons’ run defense is rather good. They are terrible against pass-catching backs, however. McCaffrey should be able to burn up the Falcons again in the final game of the season. He is a solid RB2 with upside for your final lineup.
