Atlanta Falcons DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took over for Kirk Cousins in Week 16 and fared about as well as one could expect from a player making his first NFL start, completing 67% of his passes (18-for-27) and throwing just one interception that was a result of a tipped ball by one of his own receivers, not a poor decision or pass on his part. Although the 24-year-old did not throw a touchdown pass, it wasn't needed with Bijan Robinson rushing for 94 yards and two scores while the defense provided the other two TDs. The 2024 first-round draft pick will take on the Commanders in Week 17, a defense that ranks around the middle-of-the-pack in fantasy points allowed to QBs on the season, but has yielded the second-fewest fantasy points to the position over the past four weeks. The matchup takes place in D.C. and with playoff implications for both teams, this contest could prove to be a much stiffer challenge for the rookie quarterback. Fantasy managers looking to lock down fantasy championships will want to look elsewhere for a streaming QB, as Penix Jr. should be viewed as a low-end QB2 in Week 17.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (knee) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Washington Commanders. London was limited during the first two practices of the week before getting in a full session on Friday. Now, London has been cleared to play after he suffered a knee injury during last week's game against the New York Giants. He hauled in five of his eight targets for 59 yards last week. The change at quarterback doesn't seem to have hindered London's fantasy value, so fantasy managers can go ahead and plug him in as a WR2.

According to Tori McElhaney of the Atlanta Falcons, wide receiver Drake London (hamstring) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice. However, the top wideout noted that he expects to be ready for Sunday night's tilt against the Washington Commanders. Fantasy managers should monitor his status on Friday in case he faces a setback, but they should plan on starting him this weekend. Last weekend, with rookie Michael Penix Jr. under center, London saw eight targets but could only bring in five of them for 59 yards before exiting early with this hamstring injury. Over his past six contests, London has seen 9.5 targets per game and averaged 71.0 yards per game. He should be considered a solid WR2 in all formats facing the Commanders, who have allowed the 15th-most PPR points to opposing wide receivers this season.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (knee) was listed as limited on Wednesday's practice estimation. The Falcons didn't actually practice on Wednesday, so their injury report is merely a projection of how much London and his teammates would have participated if they did have a formal practice. Seeing any player appear on the injury report in the fantasy playoffs can be concerning, so fantasy managers should certainly stay vigilant and monitor London's practice status over the next couple of days. The good news, though, is that players who are limited Wednesday can typically log a full session by Friday and suit up for Sunday's game. As of now, London should be able to play against the Washington Commanders, ranking as a high-end fantasy WR2 despite the Falcons' recent quarterback switch from Kirk Cousins to Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts caught one of two targets for seven yards in Sunday's 34-7 blowout win over the Giants. A week after catching four passes, Pitts faded into the background once again, now with one catch or less in five of the last seven games. Michael Penix Jr. targeted eight different receivers in this one, but the bulk of it was focused on the three main pass catchers Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud III. If you were a Pitts manager and survived this performance, congratulations. Next Sunday brings a matchup versus Washington who has been good against tight ends this season, so the 24-year-old will be a roll of the dice again for any manager interested in deploying him.