Fansided

Fantasy Football stars and studs, Week 1

By Nicholas McGee

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 13: Mike Hughes #21 of the Minnesota Vikings pushes Davante Adams #17 of the Green Bay Packers out of bounds during the second quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 13: Mike Hughes #21 of the Minnesota Vikings pushes Davante Adams #17 of the Green Bay Packers out of bounds during the second quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 08: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on prior to a game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 08: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on prior to a game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Calvin Ridley – Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons were comfortably beaten by the Seahawks in their season opener, but their dynamic wide receiver tandem of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley at least provided some reason for cheer in Atlanta with hugely productive displays.

Jones was typically spectacular, catching nine passes for 157 yards, but it was Ridley who stole the show from a fantasy perspective, also hauling in nine receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Ridley was 11th in scoring in standard leagues as of Sunday, with Adams the only receiver to perform better in PPR formats.

Both of Ridley’s touchdowns came in the fourth quarter with the Falcons trailing by multiple scores, though that does not mean fantasy owners can expect this performance to be a one-off.

It was Ridley’s fourth 100-yard game of his career and his third in which he has scored multiple touchdowns.

Given the lack of resistance demonstrated by the Falcons’ defense, Atlanta can expect to be playing from behind a lot in 2020, meaning the likes of Ridley and Jones should have plenty more opportunities to pad their stats as Matt Ryan is forced to throw.

Week 1 suggested that the Falcons will again disappoint this season, but their offense is one that should keep fantasy owners happy if their game scripts follow the same pattern as Sunday’s.

Home/NFL