ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons unsuccessfully reaches for a reception against the defense of the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Week 1 has concluded and the fantasy football hype has begun in full force!
Since it is hard to put so much weight on a one-week sample size, GameDay Edge will continue to use 2020 stats that were reinforced in Week 1 to help set your fantasy football lineups. This week, we’ll be highlighting three games.
Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In 2020, teams passed the ball 617 times against the Tamp Bay Buccaneers due to their stout run defense, and Tampa racing to early leads. Teams targeted the running back position 101 times against Tampa Bay in 2020, leading the league. However, Tampa Bay only yielded three receiving touchdowns to running backs.
Arthur Smith targeted the running back position the least at 58 total targets last season in Tennessee. The Falcons targeted the running back position five times in Week 1.
The Atlanta Falcons gave up the most receiving yards to the WR position in 2020 at 3,350 yards total. In Week 1, Jalen Reagor (8.2 YPR) and DeVonta Smith (11.7 YPR) each caught six receptions against the Falcons.
In 2020, Matt Ryan had the following stats against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in two games: 63 completions on 93 attempts, 621 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Detriot Lions vs Green Bay Packers
Green Bay allowed 764 receiving yards (tied for second-most) and five total receiving touchdowns (tied for third-most) to the running back position in 2020.
In Week 1, Detriot Lions running backs flourished. Jamaal Williams (8 receptions, 56 yards) & D’Andre Swift (8 receptions, 65 yards, and a touchdown) had a 35% target share on the team.
In 2020, Marquez Valdes-Scantling had nine receptions on 13 targets for 149 yards and a touchdown against the Detriot Lions in two games last season.
Detriot Lions allowed 27.1 fantasy points per game (second-most in NFL) to the running back position in 200. In Week 1, they allowed 26.9 to the RB position continuing their awful defense against running backs.
Sam Greene, The Enquirer
Cincinnati Bengals vs Chicago Bears
In 2020, Chicago allowed 10.5 yards per reception and 12 touchdowns to the TE position. They finished as the second-worst team against tight ends. In Week 1, they allowed LA Rams TEs to secure 13.6 yards per reception.
Cincinnati Bengals played from in the 11 personnel (3WR) set 76% of the time while playing from 12 personnel (2WR) set 15% of the time in 2020. They played in those sets 65% (11 personnel) and 26% (12 personell) in Week 1.
In 2020, the Bengals gave up 6.1 yards per play. This was tied for third-worst in the NFL. The Bears finished with 5.1 yards per play, which was the 5th-worst.
In Week 1, the Bengals gave up 3.04 YPC. In 2020, that number was 5.35 YPC. Also in Week 1, the Bengals gave up 11 receptions on 12 targets to the Vikings’ RBs.