Atlanta Falcons vs San Francisco 49ers Matchup Preview 12/15/2019: Analysis, Depth Charts, Daily Fantasy

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In week 15 the Atlanta Falcons who are 4-9 this season will face off against the San Francisco 49ers at San Francisco. The Falcons offense will face off against one of the toughest defenses on the season this week. A tough matchup for an offense that has fallen off a bit this season after many impressive seasons in a row. The Falcons are eliminated from the NFL playoffs while the 49ers have secured at the very least a wild card spot for the NFL playoffs. A dominating season for the 49ers who could have a future dynasty on their hand.

TV Schedule

Date: December 15, 2019
Time: 4:25 PM EST
Location: Levi’s Stadium San Francisco, California
Coverage: FOX

Injury Report

Atlanta Falcons: CB Isaiah Oliver (Q), T Ty Sambrailo (O), G James Carpenter (O), DE Allen Bailey (O)

San Francisco 49ers: DE Dee Ford (O), DE D.J. Jones (O), CB Richard Sherman (O), S Jaquiski Tartt (O), DT Julian Taylor (O), CB K’Waun Williams (O)

Atlanta Falcons Analysis

The Atlanta Falcons have had a struggling season so far. Through the first 8 games of the seasons the Falcons had just 1 win against the Philadelphia Eagles. Since then, the defensive play caller has been changed over and the Falcons’ defense has been much better since the change. Matt Ryan has had another good season this year, throwing for the 4th most passing yards so far with a poor offensive line. Completing 66.7% of his passes on the year. Ryan has been stellar considering everything he has had to deal with this season. He really is one of the most underappreciated quarterbacks in the NFL.

The Falcons running game has been the biggest detractor from this Falcons’ offense. Their lead back, Devonta Freeman, has rushed for only 506 yards so far this season. Averaging just 3.6 yards per carry on the season, the Falcons running game is atrocious. Facing what used to be a stout run defense in the 49ers who have allowed 11th most rushing yards with a yards per carry of 4.6 yards (9th highest). The 49ers have only given up the 6th fewest rushing touchdowns on the season. Facing a surprising plus matchup against the 49ers, Freeman has an opportunity to run all over the 49ers in week 15.

The passing game has been the bread and butter for the Falcons offense. Having the 5th most passing attempts in the NFL. The Falcons receivers have benefitted greatly from this high volume of passing including Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Austin Hooper. With Richard Sherman out of the lineup in week 15, the Falcons wide receivers will have an easier time than before his injury. Julio Jones and Austin Hooper have been dominating forces in their respective positions. The 49ers have allowed the fewest passing yards so far this season, the lowest yards per completion, the fewest yards per attempt, and the 11th fewest passing touchdowns on the season. A tough matchup is softened by the injury to Richard Sherman. The Falcons have unfortunately lost their second-year wide receiver Calvin Ridley to Injury Reserve on Tuesday. With Ridley going down for the season, his injury will elevate Russell Gage and Olamide Zaccheaus in the depth chart.

Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart

QB: Matt Ryan
RB1: Devonta Freeman
RB2: Ito Smith
WR1: Julio Jones
WR2: Calvin Ridley
WR3: Olamide Zaccheaus
TE: Austin Hooper

San Francisco 49ers Analysis

The 49ers have been a dominating team this season, starting off their first half of the season being undefeated. Unfortunately losing a few games here and there, the 49ers are coming off of a huge win against the New Orleans Saints in what is most likely the best game of the year. A lot of the 49ers’ success can be attributed to Jimmy Garoppolo finally filling the quarterback hole that plagued this team last season. Throwing for the 12th most passing yards so far this season with very little to work with outside of George Kittle in the beginning of the season, as well as having very little passing attempts before the Emmanuel Sanders trade. Since then, the 49ers have unleashed Garoppolo and this offense. Facing an Atlanta secondary who has been playing better since the coaching change after their bye week. However, still a middle of the pack defense at best. Allowing the 9th most passing yards, 10th highest yards per completion, 6th highest yards per attempt, and the 9th most passing touchdowns in the NFL. Garoppolo will be able to continue his impressive production in recent weeks.

The 49ers running game has been productive all season long. This running-back by committee approach has been an interesting situation to see unfold. In recent weeks the 49ers have gone away from Tevin Coleman in recent weeks, seeing just 8 carries over the past 2 weeks. Favoring Raheem Mostert even over Matt Breida. It will be interesting to see if these tendencies will continue against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have allowed the 18th most rushing yards, the 24th highest yards per attempt (4.0 yards), and the 10th most rushing touchdowns. Although the Falcons will give a tough fight, the 49ers have one of the most dominant rushing games in the NFL who will most likely overcome this tough matchup.

The 49ers wide receivers have really come on since the 49ers traded for Emmanuel Sanders. Giving them a true #1 wide receiver has given rookie Deebo Samuel the opportunity to have a productive rookie season, taking away the #1 corner coverage. George Kittle has continued to be the dominant tight end he made himself out to be last season. Facing the Atlanta Falcons secondary who started off the season being the worst in the league. They have tightened things up a bit since their bye week. Allowing the 9th most passing yards, 10th highest yards per completion, 6th highest yards per attempt, and the 9th most passing touchdowns in the NFL. The 49ers wide receivers will continue their production in week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons secondary.

San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

QB: Jimmy Garoppolo
RB1: Tevin Coleman
RB2: Matt Breida
WR1: Emmanuel Sanders
WR2: Dante Pettis
WR3: Marquise Goodwin
TE: George Kittle

Daily Fantasy

Emmanuel Sanders (DK $6,600|FD $6,900)

One of the biggest fantasy surprises of the year is how well Emmanuel Sanders bounced back from tearing his Achilles last season. Being traded to the 49ers and becoming one of the most surprising fantasy receivers of the season. Facing the Falcons defense who rank 21st against opposing fantasy wide receivers. Sanders will be facing a great plus matchup in week 15. Being priced at a relatively low price under $7,000 in both DraftKings and FanDuel, Sanders is a great value who can be the best wide receiver on the week.