Hello again Razzball readers! I’ve really been enjoying contributing to Razzball so far and I look forward to answering more questions and helping more fantasy teams. Asher Molk and I will be working as a team and editing each other’s columns so feel free to ask either of us any questions; we’d love to help! And check us out on Twitter at @BraudeM and @AsherMolk.
Before you read my matchups column I would like to give you some advice:
Be sure all your players are active and ready to roll on game day. If your player is a game-time decision, check 30 minutes before game day – if he’s active, check what kind of role he is going to have in the game and make sure he’s not just an emergency option.
This article is written every Wednesday so it doesn’t always have perfect accuracy for who’s playing. I just wanted to go over those because getting a goose egg out of someone is detrimental to your team.
Before I speak about the Thursday Night game I would like to leave a personal note for my fans and supporters. I am competing in the National Fantasy Football Championship Primetime league as part of a group including my father and two friends. We call ourselves the Braintrust. Last week, we not only clinched our league but also finished first in points during the regular season, out of all 360 teams. Now only 60 teams remain but if we can finish first again – we’ll have a grand prize of $100,00 coming our way. After one week, we are 11th out of 60. On that note, good luck to everyone on their quest for a championship.
Jacksonville at Atlanta
Blaine Gabbert has had two straight multi-touchdown games but still isn’t startable as those are his only two in 11 games this season. Maurice Jones-Drew is coming off a four-touchdown performance and has been truly fantastic this season. Without a capable passing game, MJD has carried the offense on his back. Even against Atlanta’s fifth ranked run defense, Jones-Drew is a RB1. Because of Jacksonville’s inept passing attack there are no pass-catchers on this team worth starting. If you’re extremely desperate Marcedes Lewis is a low-end TE2.
Matt Ryan had his best game of the season last week, passing for 320 yards and four touchdowns. There’s no question his matchup was a big factor but he’s still a solid QB1 in this matchup against the Jaguars injury-ridden secondary. Another reason I expect Ryan to continue to produce is because of Michael Turner’s sudden inability. On my teams I stayed away from Turner because of the wear on his body over the last three years. Over the last three games Turner has slowed down noticeably, rushing 54 times for 180 yards – just 3.33 yards per carry. He should still find room to run against the Jags but he’s a RB2. With Atlanta suddenly ineffective on the ground, they’re forced to attack teams through the air. Meaning more opportunities and targets for Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Tony Gonzalez. Roddy White has scored in three straight and elite WR1 this week. Julio Jones has recovered from his multiple injuries and has the look of a high-end WR2 this week against the Jags injury-ravaged secondary. Tony Gonzalez continues to be an elite tight end – 3rd in scoring behind just Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham – keep him rolling against the Jaguars.
