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Falcons at Raiders: 5 best fantasy options

By Brad Weiss

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) rushes against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) rushes against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Matt Ryan

The bottom line is Matt Ryan is a fantastic NFL quarterback, and sees to get better each year. In 2015, Ryan threw for nearly 4,600 yards, though the Falcons had a down year. He has gotten off to a fast start this season, and will be facing an Oakland Raiders defense that was lit up through the air on Sunday.

Ryan has not played the Raiders since 2012, when he threw three interceptions in a 23-20 Falcons win. He has grown a lot as a quarterback since then, and is fresh off a 334-yard performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He threw two touchdowns against zero interceptions in the game, and did all of that despite the lack of a running game.

Devonta Freeman was a no-show in Week 1, as the breakout running back from 2015 just could not get it going on the ground. That forced Ryan to do everything through the air, and he did not skip a beat. Atlanta has one of the best wide receivers in the league, and Ryan will be targeting him all afternoon against Oakland.

The Oakland and Atlanta matchup is going to be a fantasy football dream, as the two teams could combine for over 60 points in the contest. The Raiders have an improved defense, but they showed plenty of holes against the Saints. Ryan can light it up with the best of them, and should be considered a starter in both daily fantasy and year-long leagues.

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