X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Monday Night Football Matchups and Starts/Sits (Week 15)

Week 15 Monday Night Football has more of a feeling like Thursday Night Football this week. A divisional matchup of the 8-5 Atlanta Falcons and 4-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers has two of the most underachieving teams of 2017.

With a win, Atlanta could stay alive for a playoff spot while Tampa Bay just wants to play spoiler now. The good news about these two teams, there will be plenty of star power on display tonight.

Let's get to it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date and Start Time: Monday, December 18th at 8:30 p.m. EST

Game Spread: Falcons -7

Notables from Injury Report and Inactives:

  • Tevin Coleman (RB, ATL)- Concussion- Out
  • Lavonte David (LB, TB)- Hamstring- Out
  • Gerald McCoy (DT, TB)- Biceps- Out

 
Offensive and Defensive Rankings (based on per game stats through Week 14):

Falcons Buccaneers
Passing Yards 8th 6th
Rushing Yards 11th 27th
Pass Defense 7th 32nd
Rush Defense 11th 18th

 
 

Overview

Atlanta has not been able to find steady footing this year after one of the most disappointing Super Bowl collapses in history. Just like you, I’m ready to move on from that story line and not hear about it anymore. Problem is, you don’t typically put that shame to bed until you get back and win. Atlanta is on the fringe of that opportunity right now. A win tonight would move them to 9-5, one game behind division leading New Orleans and Carolina and ahead of Seattle, Dallas and Detroit for the wild card. Atlanta can thank a questionable call in Detroit earlier in the season for this advantages situation. The road doesn’t get any easier after this week. Atlanta will head to New Orleans in Week 16 and will host Carolina in Week 17. The NFC South playoff race will be one of the better storylines as the season winds down.

Tampa Bay is playing for pride right now, and even at 4-9, they are one of the most important teams in the NFL when it comes to determining the playoffs. Tampa Bay can play spoiler tonight against Atlanta and possibly the next two weeks when they visit Carolina and host New Orleans. The road to the NFC South title and possibly a wild card spot goes through Tampa Bay. Now, while they would rather be playing for a chance to make the playoffs, this is the perfect situation in a terrible season to gain momentum heading towards 2018. Winning two out of the last three games or even sweeping them to end the season and ruin the hopes of some playoffs teams is exactly what Jameis Winston and company need. Could it be enough to save Dirk Koetter’s job? Maybe, but it should. Tampa Bay has dealt with injuries and ineffective play this year. Giving Koetter another year with this talent makes sense.

The big matchup to watch tonight is Julio Jones vs Mike Evans. Two elite level wide receivers get a chance to shine on the big stage tonight. Jones has the far superior matchup, playing a Buccaneers defense that allows 283.3 receiving yards a game, last in the NFL. Evans will need to fight through a Falcons defense that only allows 231.3 receiving yards per game, seventh in the NFL. The key stat for me is Atlanta’s average yards per reception of 10.0, best in the NFL. Chances of big plays tonight will be slim for Tampa Bay. Evans and DeSean Jackson thrive on those types of plays to make this offense run. Controlling the game through running backs will be the key to success for Tampa Bay. Even if Atlanta gets ahead quickly, Tampa Bay cannot get pass happy and try to beat Atlanta through the air. They will need to stay committed to the run game. I like this matchup for both Tampa Bay running backs.

A divisional battle like this should bring a decent game. Both teams should hang in there to begin with, but the team that makes the least amount of mistakes will walk out with a win. Even on the road, I believe Atlanta will get the win tonight with a steady diet of Devonta Freeman and some huge plays by Jones. The Falcons will keep their playoff hopes alive and look towards more daunting tasks the next two weeks.

 

Must Starts

Devonta Freeman (RB, ATL)

Freeman will have the backfield all to his self tonight while Tevin Coleman recovers from a concussion. Not only will the volume be there, but the quality opportunities will also be there. Tampa Bay will be missing DT Gerald McCoy and LB Lavonte David. Those are two huge playmakers missing in the middle of the defense. Freeman will have room to run all night long.

Julio Jones (WR, ATL)

The Buccaneers rank 32nd against the pass this year and that means Jones will be open all night. When these two teams met in Week 12, Jones had 12 catches for 253 yards and two touchdowns. He will have the opportunity to make big plays but hopefully Tampa Bay can keep it close. Jones owners don't want the passing game shut down too early.

 

Must Sits

Doug Martin (RB, TB)

Since Martin made his debut in Week 5, he has only averaged 2.82 yards per carry. Atlanta only gives up an average of 108.3 yards rushing per game, but gives up an average of 4.3 yards per carry. Atlanta has been able to limit damage because they have faced the fourth least rushing attempts per game. I am not going to trust Martin in this matchup. The volume could disappear quickly if Atlanta gets ahead early.

UPDATE: Doug Martin is a healthy scratch tonight and will not play.

Austin Hooper (TE, ATL)

You are going to see a lot of Jones and Freeman with some Mohamed Sanu mixed in tonight. Hooper doesn't have a touchdown catch since Week 10 and hasn't had 50 or more receiving yards wince Week 4. I mentioned Hooper in #TrendingNow a couple weeks ago and I haven't changed my mind. The Bucs may be bad in a lot of areas this year, but they only give up 5.82 fantasy points per game to tight ends, second best in the league.

 

Solid Options/Sleepers

Solid Option - Mohamed Sanu (WR, ATL)

I have loved Sanu all season as a WR3/Flex play regardless of the opponent. He is so undervalued but doesn't get the recognition because of the guys around him. Sanu has manged at least five targets in a game nine times this season. Add in a career high in catch rate, Sanu makes for a decent play every week, especially against the leagues worst pass defense. Even when Jones had his monster week against Tampa Bay earlier in the year, Sanu still managed 64 yards on eight catches.

Sleeper - Peyton Barber (RB, TB)

Tampa Bay should game plan around young Peyton Barber who has surprised the last couple of weeks, rushing 35 times for 160 yards and hauling in five receptions for 46 yards. Atlanta has given up the fifth most receptions to running backs in the NFL this year. Barber has become a much better all around back then Martin. I look for Barber to pick up some decent points, especially in PPR leagues.

 

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
NBA

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP