Packers fantasy football outlook: Expect another outburst against Falcons

Another week, another primetime game.

The Green Bay Packers – excuse us – the undefeated Green Bay Packers head into a Monday night collision against the Atlanta Falcons this week, meaning you have an extra day to overthink your roster in fantasy football.

The good news is just about every Packers offensive player is worth starting this week.

But which players have a chance to do the most damage against Atlanta? And are there any Falcons worth taking a chance on? We are here to help.

Each week during the regular season we’ll give our fantasy advice for the Packers and their opponent. Players are graded on a 1-5 scale of football emojis, from “don’t even think about starting him” (?) to “you’re a fool if you bench this guy” (?????).

Here’s how Week 4 lines up:

GREEN BAY PACKERS

QB Aaron Rodgers:  ?????

In three weeks, Rodgers went from fantasy afterthought to an MVP candidate. He’s thrown 3+ touchdown passes twice in three games – something he did only three times all of last year. He might have his best performance yet against the Falcons. Let’s check in to see how other quarterbacks have fared: Russell Wilson threw for 322 yards and four scores. Dak Prescott registered 450 passing yards. And Chicago’s Nick Foles passed for 188 yards and three touchdowns in less than two quarters. If we could give Rodgers more than five footballs, we would.

RB Aaron Jones: ?????

Everyone feasts against the Falcons. Those are the rules. That includes Jones, who has scored at least one touchdown in all three contests this season. Atlanta’s defense has seen the fourth-fewest rushing attempts, probably more of an indication of its hideous passing defense rather than stellar run defense. The Falcons have allowed the sixth-most receptions to running backs, which is a big part of Jones’ game.

WR Davante Adams: ?????

Adams missed last week with a hamstring injury, and his status for Monday night is unknown. If Adams is healthy and suits up in Atlanta, he might rewrite the record books. Ok, that’s an exaggeration. In three games, the Falcons have let an astounding five different receivers tally 92+ receiving yards. Four different receivers have caught 6+ passes. Adams is going to eat.

WR Allen Lazard: ?

If Lazard was able to play for the Packers this week, then he would get five balls here. But according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Lazard underwent core muscle surgery this week and is out indefinitely, so it seems doubtful that Green Bay’s exciting new receiver will play against Atlanta.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling: ???

With Lazard most likely not playing and Adams questionable, MVS will likely see more targets on Monday. The question is how he performs. Valdes-Scantling had four catches for 96 yards and a score against the Minnesota Vikings and three catches for 64 yards against the Detroit Lions, but only had one catch for five yards in the New Orleans game. Despite the inconsistency, Valdes-Scantling has gotten at least four targets per game so Rodgers seems to trust him more.

Packers D/ST: ??

The Packers have a good defense, but the Falcons are not the best matchup. First off, Atlanta has only committed three turnovers this season, which is kind of insane considering their blown leads but it is true. Moreover, the Falcons can put up points and move the ball, averaging 30 points and 419 total yards per game so far, which are sixth and seventh in the NFL, respectively. Whether those points and yards come in garbage time or in a close game, they count all the same in fantasy

ATLANTA FALCONS

QB Matt Ryan: ?????

Start Ryan in fantasy and do not think twice. Ryan’s 961 passing yards are third in the league and his seven touchdown passes are tied for fifth in the NFL. He ranks No. 10 in standard fantasy scoring so far, which is pretty impressive since he is not a runner. Also, like with all the Falcons players, garbage time points could be a big factor in how his final stats end up.

RB Todd Gurley: ???

There are certainly better running back options available, but Gurley is worth starting if there is a hole in your lineup. Through three games he has 197 rushing yards (4.0 ypc) and two rushing scores. The issue with Gurley so far this season, especially in PPR leagues, is that he only has three catches for three yards, which is partly why he is the 27^th ranked running back in standard fantasy scoring.

WR Julio Jones: ?????

Jones went out in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys and his status is uncertain although he practiced Thursday. He was limited in practice this week, so if he ends up playing then you need to start Jones. The former Alabama star may not be quite as dominant as he once was, but he has not fallen off that much and managed to put up nine catches for 157 yards in Atlanta’s Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

WR Calvin Ridley: ?????

Since Ridley has also been limited in practice this week, he is kind of in the same boat as Jones when it comes to fantasy. However, if he does play, then he must be started. After all, he is second in receiving this season with 349 yards, and his four receiving touchdowns are tied for the lead in the NFL.

TE Hayden Hurst: ???

Hurst was traded from the Baltimore Ravens this offseason and has been a good addition to the Falcons. The former first-round pick has recorded nine catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns this season, so it’s fair to expect him to have a decent game against Green Bay. That said, there are better tight end options out there, but if you’re in a TE bind due to injury or even the cancellation of the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans, then Hurst is a good fill-in.