The 6-7 Atlanta Falcons travel to Las Vegas to take on the 2-11 Raiders for the second Monday Night Football game for week 15. This is the perfect game for Atlanta to get its offense going again, especially for Kirk Cousins. While the run game has been great, the passing game has taken somewhat of a dip with the defense getting gashed last week against the Minnesota Vikings.
For Las Vegas, this is a revenge spot for Desmond Ridder facing his former team, as he is slated to start after Aidan O’Connell suffered an injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Maxx Crosby out for the year, the Raiders defense may get shredded by Cousins, even with his lack of arm strength.
Falcons vs. Raiders DFS Start ‘Ems
Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.
Brock Bowers ($6.6K DraftKings)
The rookie should be a must-start regardless of matchup, as the Raiders have Bowers as their top offensive weapon. Although Michael Mayer saw some targets with Ridder, it’s still an easy start for Bowers, as his record-breaking season continues with an advantageous matchup vs. Atlanta’s porous secondary. The Raiders tight end is in conversation as the best in his position, especially for fantasy.
Darnell Mooney ($5.6K DraftKings)
While Drake London’s usage is creative in this offense, Mooney as their main deep threat has been more impressive with Cousins. He is the better play due to salary and big play potential, as Mooney is coming off a 6-catch, 142-yard performance last week. This Vegas secondary is opportunistic with turnovers but exposable through the air. I would imagine there will be some skyballs to Mooney and he can easily house one or two of those for long touchdowns.
Falcons vs. Raiders DFS Sit ‘Ems
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.
Kyle Pitts ($3.9K DraftKings)
Pitts unfortunately hasn’t been relevant since National Tight Ends day two months ago. Even with his depreciated salary, his role in this offense for Atlanta is more ancillary, as the focus has been the run game and the trio of their receivers. That even includes Ray-Ray McCloud, who has gotten involved more as of late. Unless Pitts catches a touchdown or two, he doesn’t see enough volume to start.
Alexander Mattison ($5.1K DraftKings)
With Alexander Mattison being demoted to more of a backup role, I wouldn’t expect much from him now running behind Sincere McCormick. The second-year rusher has taken the reins as the starter and is slated to start tonight against Atlanta. Last week, he finished with 15 carries for 78 yards but with Mattsion back from injury now in the mix, it will be interesting to see what his workload looks like. Even at his potential of scoring in the goalline at his salary as a vulture, due to the offense, it is not worth chasing over McCormick or even Tyler Allgeier as the backup running back for Atlanta.
Total Apex Lock of the Game
Bijan Robinson ($7.6K DraftKings)
Robinson is a no-brainer start against Vegas tonight, as he has been a top-five running back in PPR for fantasy the last two months. Even with their backup running back getting a few touches in the goalline, Bijan is still the star rusher and pass catcher for fantasy purposes. He has had 7 double-digit performances and is an easy checkdown option for Cousins. While he hasn’t had the 30-plus pointer, Robinson is close, and even in a tough matchup last week against the Vikings, the Falcons star almost finished with 100 yards on the ground.
Total Apex Fade of the Game
Desmond Ridder ($4.8K DraftKings)
With Ridder expected to start tonight, I would imagine the Falcon’s defense has a bounceback game after getting shredded last week against Darnold. While they struggle to get pressure, their secondary does have a few stars like Jessie Bates and A.J. Terell who can catch an inaccurate pass from Ridder. In the three games he’s played in relief of O’Connell or Gardner Minshew, Ridder has 1 touchdown but 2 interceptions. While he does have weapons to throw to like Bowers, Jakobi Meyers, and Tre Tucker, I can’t imagine him lighting up the score board even against Atlanta’s defense in a revenge spot.
