In the week before the bye, the Seahawks let loose for three offensive touchdowns, all via the pass in a convincing win at the New York Jets. This week's matchup appears tougher from a perspective of the offensive potency of the opponent, but defensively, the Seahawks almost could not ask for a more friendly matchup than they are getting this week against the Falcons.
Atlanta allows the most Fantasy Points Per Game to opposing quarterbacks (23.59), having surrendered an NFL-high 14 TD passes. This sets up as another possibly outstanding performance for Russell Wilson, especially with the emerging diversity of all his weapons. The Falcons do have sturdy CB Desmond Trufant, brother of longtime former Seahawks standout corner Marcus, but Wilson simply has too many options right now for the Atlanta pass defense to handle. Wilson is one of the top Fantasy QBs of Week 6, and he might be the very best option of all. Another three-TD outing is certainly not out of the question.
The Falcons' Matt Ryan is the leading QB in Fantasy Football with 122.60 points on NFL.com, and remains a Top 10 Fantasy passer this week despite the apparent tough matchup with the Seahawks. He does have Julio Jones, who is a major challenge for any secondary, and RB Tevin Coleman, a real threat as a pass-catcher underneath or on the edges. The Jets allow 21.67 FFPG to opposing passers, and Carson Palmer should be back in Fantasy lineups as he returns to action. Marcus Mariota takes on a Browns defense that allows 20.20 FFPG to QBs, and should be started in leagues larger than 12 teams. Matthew Stafford is the fifth-best QB on NFL.com with 95.12 points and is a solid pick against the Rams.
With two consecutive 100-yard games, Jimmy Graham has reclaimed his place among the elite tight ends in Fantasy Football, inhabiting the penthouse at the position along with the likes of Rob Gronkowski and Greg Olsen. It's not a reactionary statement, as longtime and savvy Fantasy players know. The Falcons allow the third-most FFPG to tight ends in standard leagues on NFL.com, with 13.20 per contest. Graham should have another impressive outing, as Wilson has developed a high comfort level with him by now, as evidenced by his willingness to place the ball in areas where only a tremendously talented athlete such as Graham can make plays.
The Panthers allow 10.88 FFPG to opposing tight ends, and Coby Fleener could have one of his best games of the year so far. Miami allows 9.56 FFPG to the position, so Jesse James could be an option in deeper leagues or if you have Kyle Rudolph on a bye. Julius Thomas should be back for Jacksonville and deserves starting consideration.
Doug Baldwin could possibly draw some of Trufant in coverage, but he is firmly a must-start in all Fantasy leagues regardless of opponent. Tyler Lockett should benefit from having a bye week, and he is a free agent in over 31 percent of NFL.com leagues. If he is available, snatch him up before his resurgence begins, as it could actually start this week. Some owners may have dropped Lockett for reasons including his bye, as some Fantasy players tend to cut idle players. You may have an opportunity to add him before other owners see him re-emerge as a viable Fantasy option again.
The Jets allow 26.84 standard FFPG to WRs on NFL.com, third-most of all teams, so be confident in starting big-play man John Brown, especially now that Palmer is expected back. Jacksonville allows 26.13 FFPG points to the position, so you can consider Week 5 breakout performer Cameron Meredith if you need a plugger for a bye week player such as Mike Evans or for an injured starter. The Giants surrender 25.14 FFPG to the position, so consider Mike Wallace, who may get a lot of targets this week. Cincinnati gives up 24.56 FFPG to wideouts, so look for Chris Hogan of the Patriots to build on a big game against the Browns last week.
Atlanta allows 20.56 FFPG to opposing RBs, but has yielded just two rushing scores. Still, with Wilson leading a crisp passing game, Christine Michael will be in position to possibly convert some shorter scoring opportunities and should certainly get good yardage numbers against Atlanta's 18th-ranked run defense. He is doing a fine job so far of succeeding Marshawn Lynch as the Seahawks' lead RB as his career revival continues. The Seahawks brass may have had the vision of Michael eventually succeeding Lynch earlier in his career, and after a storybook journey to get to this point, he is fulfilling that destiny so far this year.
The Colts allow 24.46 FFPG to opposing RBs, third-most in the league, and many Fantasy analysts widely believe Miller will have his best game yet as a Texan this week. The Redskins allow 23.74 FFPG to RBs, so Ryan Mathews has strong appeal as a flex option. Chicago allows 118.4 rushing yards per game, making Frank Gore a quality option. The Packers have the league's best run defense, but they have not faced a RB as spectacular as the NFL's current leading rusher, Ezekiel Elliott. Not that you would reserve him, but don't be concerned about his upside this week.
Defensively, the Titans are a top streamer against the Browns. Chicago is a sneaky start for sacks and turnovers against the Jaguars, and the Texans may register a good amount of sacks against the Colts.
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The Seahawks and Falcons have battled 16 times, including playoffs, since 1976, with Seattle owning 10 victories. The two teams meet again this Saturday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.