Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers: Fantasy Football Start/Sit

Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) at the line of scrimmage during the second half aghast the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

How can the Atlanta Falcons help you win your fantasy football semifinal or championship game? I’ll offer some advice as you ponder those last second lineup changes.

The Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers has major fantasy football implications. No team in the NFL has put up points this season like the Falcons have. At the same time, few teams are as pitiful playing defense as the 49ers. Anything can happen on any given Sunday…but 13 games in, we think we’ve got it well-figured out.

Hint: Don’t start Julio Jones.

I’ll say this, if the Falcons lay an egg tomorrow, then my fantasy football season is over. This is coming from a guy with Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Mohamed Sanu, and the Atlanta Defense, on his roster. That’s not to imply I start all of them…because I won’t.

Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brian Quick (83) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) and cornerback Brian Poole (34) during a NFL football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Start the Atlanta Defense

The Falcons’ defense put up 26 points in Yahoo! Sports standard scoring leagues last week. Consider this game came on the road, against a dysfunctional Los Angeles Rams offense. Now imagine what happens when the same defense takes on a weaker opponent at home on Sunday.

The 49ers boast the 29th ranked offense in the NFL and have shown no improvement week to week. Colin Kaepernick threw for 133 yards against the Jets in Week 14. The week prior, Blaine Gabbert was San Francisco’s leading passer with 35 yards against the Chicago Bears. Pass defense has been the area of concern for Atlanta’s defense all season. This week though, the Birds’ secondary completely over-matches the 49ers receiving corps.

The little bit of threat San Francisco offers is on the ground, where Carlos Hyde comes off a 193-yard day in Week 14. Kaepernick is also a constant threat to make big plays with his legs in open space. But if the Falcons’ defense does anything consistently well, it’s stuff the run. Atlanta ranks 14th in the NFL against the run, averaging a little over 100 yards per game.

Better yet, take a look at what the Falcons have given up to opposing team’s top rushers in recent weeks:

All this and no mention of Vic Beasley. At 13.5 sacks for the year, there’s no signs of Beasley slowing down against a putrid San Francisco protection scheme.

Oct 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) catches a touchdown pass against the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Packers 33-32. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Sit Mohamed Sanu

Mohamed Sanu returns to action this week after suffering a groin injury in Week 13. Sanu should lineup as the #1 receiver and see targets, but there’s no telling how much the Falcons push him. Groin injuries are tricky in that the least bit of aggravation can lead to long term effects. With so many key games still ahead, Dan Quinn doesn’t need to risk losing a big-name athlete against the 49ers.

Matt Ryan had a field day against the Rams without Sanu and Julio Jones on the field. Kyle Shanahan dialed up plenty of different looks that saw Ryan spread the ball around significantly. It’s safe to assume we see the Week 14 gameplan again; in which 8 different Falcons caught passes against the Rams.

Sanu is a flex play if absolutely necessary but barring a big play, there’s little reason to suggest he’s worth the start.

Nov 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) gets tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) in the first quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Start Devonta Freeman & Tevin Coleman

Many fantasy owners were left scratching their heads after Devonta Freeman totaled 6 yards in Week 14. I cautioned then and I’ll now, it was a product of the opponent. We’ve beaten to death how bad the Rams are and if anything, Dan Quinn opted to give his top back some rest while the game allowed him to. Freeman didn’t look too hot on his 6 carries and couple targets, but I believe the Falcons planned to limit his action regardless.

Tevin Coleman will be a big part of the gameplan through the air and with a half-dozen carries. This is a week he and Freeman both belong in the starting lineup. Expect Coleman to make his points on a few big yardage plays while Kyle Shanahan feeds Devonta Freeman no less than 15-20 carries. The Falcons may not need a big day from Freeman to win, but they don’t want to go into Carolina with their best running back ice cold.

Let’s not forget the damage Devonta Freeman can do through the passing game as well. Prior to last week’s dud, he posted back-to-back performances of 20+ points in Yahoo! PPR leagues.