Atlanta

Falcons

Looking to bounce back from his Kirk Cousins-induced doughnut in Week 15, Mooney rebounded for his second most yards in the past five weeks. Mooney’s effort came as Drake London checked out with a hamstring injury. The Falcons’ initial lean is that London will be good to go for Week 17 against the Commanders, but his absence would push Mooney into the top 24 for finals week. If London goes, Mooney still seems to have re-established WR3 status with Michael Penix Jr. now under center.

With check-down maestro Kirk Cousins banished to the bench, McCloud posted his second lowest yardage total since October. The Falcons project for more passing-game volume against the competitive Commanders in Week 17, but McCloud doesn’t offer enough ceiling with his modest PPR floor to force his way into the WR4 mix for the fantasy finals.

Pitts’ missed connection was a horrendous goal-line bobble and drop that led to a Michael Penix “interception.” Even with Penix immediately providing more life under center than Kirk Cousins, today was a continuation of Pitts’ nightmare year. He can’t be trusted against the Commanders’ decent pass defense for the fantasy finals in Week 17.

Allgeier added a nine-yard reception. Now seemingly hard-capped in the 8-12 carry range as Bijan Robinson breezes by 20 on a weekly basis, Allgeier has lost any illusion of standalone value even as the Falcons look to protect rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

London injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the Giants. At the time of the injury, the Falcons were already sitting pretty with a 31-7 lead, leaving no reason for them to force London back on the field with a pivotal Week 17 game against the Commanders on tap next week. London’s name will be one to monitor on the team’s injury report, but it sounds like he’ll be good to go for next week.

Tasked with carrying the mail as the Falcons tried to make things easy on Michael Penix in his starting debut, Robinson reached 22 carries for the fourth straight game. The 100-yard effort was also his fourth straight, and ninth in 10 contests. This is the role fantasy managers wanted all along, and Robinson is going to remain the point of emphasis as the Falcons try to sneak into the playoffs. On tap for Week 17 is an exceedingly weak Commanders run defense.

Penix also “added” four carries for three yards. It’s a quiet statline that doesn’t tell the story of a solid, composed outing in Penix’s starting debut. His “interception” was in reality a Kyle Pitts goal-line drop, while he helped engineer two scoring drives that were finished off by Bijan Robinson touchdown plunges. The biggest “problem” was Drew Lock tossing a pair of hideous pick-sixes that limited the Falcons’ overall play volume and compiling opportunities. The Falcons, of course, won’t be complaining like fantasy managers there. Penix throws a spinner with heat. There are going to be big plays in Weeks 17 and 18, though Drake London’s (hamstring) status is questionable for next Sunday against the Commanders.

London is questionable, but seeing as it is 31-7 in the fourth quarter, he won’t be back. New starter Michael Penix is throwing a beautiful ball, but London had a modest five grabs for 59 yards before going down. Drew Lock has thrown two pick-sixes, limiting the Falcons’ play volume and scoring potential. London, who was already gutting through recent knee and hip issues, could end up legitimately questionable for Week 17 game against the Commanders.

It’s an extremely quiet list for Michael Penix Jr.'s starting debut.

Schefter cites executives across the league who are “fully expecting” Atlanta to release the 36-year-old quarterback before his roster bonus is due. This comes on the heels of an ESPN report Friday that called Cousins’ chances of returning as a backup next year “slim.” Despite his play falling off a cliff this year, Cousins still holds leverage over the Falcons because his ridiculous contract includes a no-trade clause. According to Schefter, Cousins isn’t going to do any favors for the franchise after they surprised him on draft night by selecting another quarterback and thus wouldn’t allow a trade before March 17th. From Atlanta’s perspective, there’s no reason to hang onto Cousins past March 17th considering they already owe Cousins $90 million. Cousins, who has turned holding leverage over teams into an art form over the course of his career, is set to become a free agent once again.