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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Week 7 Start/Sit: Monday Night Football Matchup Analysis

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em for MNF - Week 7. Monday Night Football matchups analysis and fantasy start/sit advice for New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons

When I watch movies, I root for the bad guy. I always wanted the coyote to catch the roadrunner. An NFL team going after a defeated season is exponentially more intriguing to me than the pursuit of an undefeated one. I'm just that guy. So much so, that when I sat down to begin typing this preview for the Week 7 Monday Night Football matchup between the New York Giants (1-5) and Atlanta Falcons (2-4), I impulsively paused to rub my hands.

Why? Well, the table is set for the classic weakness versus weakness matchup with the Falcons defense allowing the second-most points per game (31) and the Giants offense producing the sixth-fewest points per game (19.5). We're also at that point in the season where the doubt starts to creep in... "Do we really want to win this, or could we use this draft pick?" There's also that part about both of these squads being among the most popular preseason picks to be playing in this season's playoffs, them both being lousy, and nobody believing that anymore. I'd bet there are more folks starting Lamar Jackson in their fantasy leagues this week than the number of people who still truly believe either of these are playoff teams, and seeing how I get pleasure out of watching situations spiral aimlessly out of control, I'm ready to watch this game between two talented, but sucky, teams. Unabashedly.

The captivation exists on so many levels, but the best part is that both teams will still be garbage at the end of it all. Regardless of the result. It's like a meaningless preseason game, being played in the middle of the season, during prime time, because at one point someone thought it'd be a good idea. Classic. It's like the Suicide Squad - take a bunch of bad and wind up with something dope. (I've actually never seen that movie, and wasn't a fan of comics, but I believe that's the gist. If not, you get the point.) Anyway, that's not why you're here so I'm done rambling. Let's get to the matchups...

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

 

New York Giants @ Atlanta Falcons

Date and Start Time: Monday, October 22nd at 8:15 p.m. EST
Game Spread: ATL -4.5
Over/Under: 54
Notable Injuries and Status:

Offensive and Defensive Rankings (per game):

Giants Falcons
Passing Yards 17th 5th
Rushing Yards 27th 29th
Pass Defense 12th 29th
Run Defense 24th 25th

 

Must Starts

Top Players That You Should Have In Your Lineup

Saquon Barkley (RB, NYG)

Kareem Hunt. Adrian Peterson. These are the only two running backs who put up more yards from scrimmage over their first six career NFL games than the 811 Barkley has amassed to this point. The list of running backs who have averaged more yards from scrimmage per game this season than the 135.2 Saquon has thus far? Nonexistent. He leads all backs. Atlanta has surrendered 4.51 yards per carry to opposing RBs and the 70.8 yards they've allowed to backs through the air are good for the second-highest... Oh, and at eight touchdowns, the Falcons are tied for the third-most allowed to the RB position.

Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, NYG)

Eli Manning hasn't played well. We all know that. I'm still trying to figure out what Lil' Wayne has to do with anything. (Besides being from Louisiana like Odell. Still, he added no value to the interview.) And, apparently, OBJ doesn't like water... It's been a tumultuous season for Mr. Beckham. Bad news for him, we're not even halfway through the campaign. But, even with all of the drama, he's averaging 84.3 yards per game - 14th among wide receivers; it's his one touchdown that has been the problem for fantasy owners. Well, the Falcons have allowed more receiving TDs to opposing WRs than any other team so I'll start worrying if he doesn't find the end zone Monday night.

Julio Jones (WR, ATL)

If Odell's one touchdown has been a problem for his fantasy owners, Julio's zero have been a quandary. However, unlike OBJ, the matchup doesn't suggest he'll be dancing Monday night. On the season, the Giants have allowed just five receiving TDs to opposing WRs - tied for the fourth-fewest. Three of those five have come over New York's last two games, though, so there is hope. But regardless, Jones' 117.8 yards per game are second to only Adam Thielen, so while the matchup is less than ideal -- New York has also allowed the ninth-fewest yards per game to opposing WRs -- you've got to start Julio Jones on the strength of him being Julio Jones.

 

Must Sits

Players To Avoid Putting In Your Lineup

Ito Smith (RB, ATL)

Yes, Devonta Freeman is out again this week. And yes, Ito Smith has found the end zone in three-straight games... Smith has also averaged a lowly 8.4 touches and 33.6 yards from scrimmage in his five games. He's TD dependent - Rashaad Penny and Jordan Wilkins are each averaging more touches and scrimmage yards; just for a little perspective. Sure, the Giants have allowed five rushing TDs to opposing RBs, but Alvin Kamara is single-handedly responsible for 60% of them. New York has allowed just 3.9 yards per carry to opposing backs (12th-lowest) and RBs not named Kamara have combined for two rushing TDs over five games. I'm not buying the Ito hype - not this week at least. Hard to bank on him scoring a TD for the fourth-straight week.

Austin Hooper (TE, ATL)

Hooper has been on a nice run -- 148 yards and a touchdown over his last two games -- but after averaging 3.8 targets over Atlanta's first four games, he's averaged 11 over their last two. Why the drastic increase? Good question. I'd suggest the answer lies somewhere between matchups and injuries - neither of which are in his favor this week so expect more of the four catch, 40 yard Hooper.

 

Solid Options/Sleepers

Which Players Will Have Solid Games and Which Could Surprise?

Solid Option - Matt Ryan (QB, ATL)

For one, he's at home. Ryan has averaged 354.8 passing yards per game at home this season versus the 268 he's put up on the road and 13 of his 14 passing touchdowns have also come at home. Second, Patrick Mahomes is the only quarterback who's averaging more fantasy points per game than Ryan.

Here's the thing, though, five of the Falcons first six opponents rank in the Top-10 in passing yards allowed per game -- it's not like he's been dissecting tough defenses all season -- and the one team which didn't land in the Top-10, Carolina, allowed him to rush for two TDs. Take those away (he rushed for five TDs over his first 10 NFL seasons) and he finished with 18.7 fantasy points. Solid, but not second-best fantasy QB numbers. This matters because the Giants pass defense has actually been better than the Panthers, and statistically, will be the best unit Ryan will have faced thus far in 2018.  Basically, what I'm saying here is, don't expect another 30 points from Ryan Monday night. He'll be solid, though.

Solid Option - Eli Manning (QB, NYG)

The Falcons have been lousy against the pass. Eli has been lousy at passing. Pick your poison.

Solid Option - Tevin Coleman (RB, ATL)

Again, Alvin Kamara has single-handedly skewed the numbers running backs have put up against the Giants. Let's ignore Kamara for a second because Tevin Coleman doesn't belong in the same realm. Without Kamara's monster game, New York has held opposing backs to 73.8 yards per game on 3.4 yards per carry - both would rank among the Top-10. Kamara's 19 carry, 134 yard, three TD performance can't just be erased, however, and even with it, the Giants have held opposing backs to 83.8 yards per game (15th) on 3.9 yards per carry (12th). With four teams on bye, Coleman falls in the low-end RB2 conversation... Just don't expect a monster game.

Solid Option – Sterling Shepard (WR, NYG)

If you would've told me before the season that Rhett Ellison would have as many receiving touchdowns as Odell Beckham after six games while Sterling Shepard would have more, I would've told you that the Giants would be an 0-6 team. Well, they managed to win one, but that's not the key - Shepard is tied with Barkley for the team-high in receiving TDs and no team has allowed more TDs to opposing WRs than the 11 Atlanta has squandered.

Solid Option (PPR) – Mohamed Sanu/Calvin Ridley (WR, ATL)

The Giants have allowed just four receivers to go for more than 75 yards against them. One of them is named DeAndre Hopkins and the others were the beneficiaries of busted coverages. Hence the PPR stipulation - yardage will likely come at a premium. Still, Ryan is going to pass, and if they were to both finish in the five catch, 50/60 yard range, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised - landing them both as solid WR3 options. Consider anything more, e.g. dancing in the end zone, cake.

Solid Option - Evan Engram (TE, NYG)

Like the rest of the Giants offensive weapons, Engram has been at the mercy of quarterback Eli Manning (and a balky knee). But, the Falcons have been middle of the pack at defending tight ends and have allowed three TDs to the position over their last three games. Plus, with Jawill Davis/Cody Latimer out and with Russell Shepard questionable, Engram appears primed to see a gaggle of targets in his return by default - making him a good play on volume alone.

Sleeper - Bennie Fowler (WR, NYG)

With Latimer and Davis out, Fowler could be in line for a few targets if Russell Shepard is also unable to go. The Giants did bring in Corey Coleman this week... To their practice squad... Leaving Beckham, Sterling Shepard, and Fowler as the only active receivers sans the other Shepard (Russell). And, if Shepard does play, pretend Bennie Fowler (WR, NYG) says Russell Shepard (WR, NYG) because the Falcons can't stop a nosebleed.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Demarcus Robinson

Sentenced to Three Years of Probation
Jalen Nailor

In Line for WR3 Role in Minnesota
Andrew Thomas

Could Miss Start of 2025 Season
Alex Bregman

Expected to Return on Friday
Julio Rodríguez

Julio Rodriguez Won't Suit Up for Midsummer Classic
Trey Smith

Chiefs, Trey Smith Expected to Work Out Long-Term Extension
Bernhard Raimann

a Candidate for an Extension This Summer
C.J. Stroud

Could Sign Multi-Year Deal Before 2026 Season
Kyle Juszczyk

Says Christian McCaffrey Looks Healthy, Explosive
Kyren Williams

Showing Improved Explosiveness
Christian Barmore

"Dominant" this Spring
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF