CB Kendall Sheffield (undisclosed) won't play Sunday against the Eagles after being placed on injured reserve.

Analysis: Sheffield played 524 defensive snaps for Atlanta last year but will be sidelined for at least the first three weeks of 2021. The Eagles now have Jalen Hurts as the unquestioned starter at quarterback, and the receiving corps will be led by 10th overall pick DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goerdert. RB Miles Sanders should also lead a solid rushing attack. The Falcons D/ST is coming off another poor defensive campaign and is unlikely to make significant strides this season after minimal…read more

DT Deadrin Senat (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve in early August.

Analysis: Senat was ruled out for the preseason early in camp, and the 2018 third-round pick is poised to miss the full 2021 campaign. Luckily for Atlanta, the defense as a whole made it through the preseason in good health, though that won't be enough to make the unit fantasy relevant barring a drastic transformation.

The Falcons enter training camp with all 11 starters and most of the defensive depth chart healthy.

Analysis: There's a long way to go before Week 1, but Atlanta's defense won't enter camp dealing with any pre-existing injuries. The Falcons didn't make any significant defensive additions during the offseason after ranking 29th in total defense (398.4 YPG) last year, so the unit can't afford to open the season much less than 100 percent. The Falcons D/ST is unlikely to have much fantasy relevance in 2021 outside the most favorable matchups.

The Falcons finished 29th in total defense (398.4 YPG) in 2020 and were unable to make any significant defensive additions during the offseason besides second-round pick Richie Grant at safety.

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The Falcons gave up 395 yards and 17 points during the Week 16 loss to the Chiefs and play the Buccaneers on Sunday.

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The Falcons surrendered 416 yards and 31 points during the Week 15 loss to the Buccaneers and play the Chiefs on Sunday.

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The Falcons gave up 345 yards and 20 points during the Week 14 loss to the Chargers and play the Buccaneers on Sunday.

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The Falcons gave up 21 points and 424 yards during the Week 13 loss to the Saints and play the Chargers on Sunday.

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The Falcons gave up 243 yards and six points during the Week 12 win over the Raiders and play the Saints on Sunday.

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The Falcons allowed 378 yards and 24 points during the Week 11 loss to the Saints and play the Raiders on Sunday.

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The Falcons come out of their bye week ranked 30th in total defense (410.0 YPG) and 25th in scoring (27.9 PPG) as they prepare to face the Saints on Sunday.

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The Falcons allowed 17 points and 304 yards during the Week 8 win over the Panthers and play the Broncos on Sunday.

Analysis: Atlanta continues its upward trend defensively, as it's giving up 21.5 points over the past four games. The Falcons had three sacks and one turnover, so there wasn't a ton of fantasy production. Denver ranks near the bottom of the league in total offense (326.9 YPG) and scoring (21.0 PPG) and is tied-22nd in sacks allowed, so this is a solid matchup. However, the Falcons D/ST hasn't provided much fantasy scoring this season despite their improved play of late, so they remain a subpar option for…read more

The Falcons allowed 386 yards and 23 points during the Week 7 loss to the Lions and play the Panthers on Thursday.

Analysis: Atlanta held Detroit to 13 points for the first 55-plus minutes of the contest, but they scored 10 points over the final three minutes and 16 seconds, including a 75-yard touchdown drive from Matthew Stafford in the final one minutes and four seconds. The Falcons offered little else with two sacks and zero takeaways. The Atlanta D/ST has certainly improved in the past three weeks with 23 points allowed in each contest, but it's not being disruptive enough to warrant fantasy consideration…read more

The Falcons allowed 23 points and 365 yards during the Week 6 win over the Vikings and play the Lions on Sunday.

Analysis: The final numbers don't really do the performance justice as Atlanta performed well defensively, as it held Minnesota scoreless until midway through the third quarter and then gave up two garbage-time touchdowns in the final four minutes of the game. The Falcons had one sack and three takeaways to provide some fantasy value. Detroit broke 30-points for the first time all season in Week 6 against Jacksonville, with rookie RB D'Andre Swift leading the way with 116 rushing yards and two scores.…read more

The Falcons surrendered 437 yards and 23 points during the Week 5 win over the Panthers and play the Vikings on Sunday.

Analysis: It was the best defensive performance of the season for Atlanta, though that's not saying much as it was the first time the opponent didn't reach at least 30 points. The Falcons had zero sacks and zero takeaways as QB Teddy Bridgewater averaged 8.5 yards per pass, helping lead to the firing of head coach Dan Quinn. WRs Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson represent significant matchup problems for Week 6, as the Atlanta D/ST is worth passing over once again.

The Falcons surrendered 30 points and 403 yards during the Week 4 loss to the Packers and play the Panthers on Sunday.

Analysis: Atlanta was without starting safeties Keanu Neal (hamstring) and Ricardo Allen (elbow) while Green Bay was without top WRs Davante Adams (hamstring) and Allen Lazard (abdomen), and QB Aaron Rodgers had no issues picking apart the defense. The Panthers haven't been anything special offensively, but given the state of the Falcons D/ST, both in health and talent, there's no reason to given it a second look for Week 5.

Atlanta gave up 437 yards and 30 points during the Week 3 loss to Chicago and play Green Bay on Monday.

Analysis: The Falcons held a 16-point lead and limited the Bears to 10 points through most of the game, but QB Nick Foles came off the bench to put up 20 points over the final seven minutes as the Falcons endured another brutal collapse. They're now allowing 36.0 points and 463.3 yards through three games and have a matchup against QB Aaron Rodgers, who's leading the highest-scoring team in the league (40.7 PPG). On top of that, the Packers have zero giveaways and have allowed only two sacks. The Atlanta…read more

The Falcons surrendered 570 yards and 40 points during the Week 2 loss to the Cowboys and play the Bears on Sunday.

Analysis: Atlanta had one sack and three takeaways and took a 29-10 lead into halftime, but Dallas put up 30 points during the second half to complete the comeback. The Bears certainly don't have an offense to shy away from, but the Falcons have given up 78 points and 953 yards through the first two games and aren't worth fantasy consideration given their inability to prevent points.

The Falcons gave up 38 points and 383 yards during Sunday's loss to the Seahawks and play the Cowboys in Week 2.

Analysis: Atlanta had three sacks and failed to force a turnover, as QB Russell Wilson threw as many touchdown passes as incompletions (four). The Cowboys had one of the top offenses in the league last season, but they put up only 17 points in the season opener against the Rams. The Falcons D/ST didn't show enough in Week 1 to overcome its personnel deficiencies and be on the fantasy radar for this week.

The Falcons will play the Seahawks in the season opener Sunday at 1 P.M ET.

Analysis: Seattle finished in the top half of the league in passing (6.7 NY/A) and rushing (4.6 YPC) last season, and the offense returns most of the same pieces, along with veteran tight end Greg Olsen. Russell Wilson remains a top-tier QB and could easily pick apart the Falcons if the run game falters. Atlanta finished tied-29th in sacks last year and seems unlikely to have much luck making plays against Wilson and Seattle.

DE Vic Beasley and CB Desmond Trufant moved on during the offseason after the Falcons finished tied-29th in sacks and tied-19th in turnovers last season.

Analysis: First-round pick CB A.J. Terrell and free-agent signing Dante Fowler represent solid replacements, and perhaps even improvements for the two major departures, but it's difficult to see where the defense significantly upgraded its talent. LB Deion Jones and DT Grady Jarrett are dependable building blocks, but overall the group remains unexciting. Atlanta finished last season 20th in total defense (355.8 YPG) and 23rd in scoring (24.9 PPG), and a similar finish in 2020 wouldn't be surprising.

The Falcons allowed 288 yards and 12 points to the Jaguars in Week 16 and play the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Analysis: Atlanta had three sacks and one takeaway while not allowing Jacksonville into the end zone until the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is coming off a five-giveaway performance, putting them at 38 giveaways (six more than the next worst team). The Atlanta D/ST has been much improved in the second half of the season and is a solid option for the finale given QB Jameis Winston's turnover issues.

The Falcons gave up 313 yards and 22 points during Sunday's win over the 49ers and play the Jaguars on Sunday.

Analysis: Atlanta had one sack and two takeaways, including a fumble return for a touchdown on the last play of the game as San Fran attempted desperation laterals. The Falcons have been revitalized since their Week 9 bye, and the matchup with the Jaguars provides a solid opportunity to finish the season-long fantasy campaign on a strong note. Jacksonville hasn't exceeded 20 points in its last six games, making the Atlanta D/ST a mid-tier option with a decent floor.

CB Marcus Trufant (forearm) was placed on injured reserve this week as the Falcons play the 49ers on Sunday.

Analysis: Atlanta is coming off an impressive five-sack, four-takeaway performance against Carolina, but a matchup with San Fran in Week 15 presents a more problematic matchup. The 49ers just put up 48 points on the Saints -- which feature a much better defense than the Falcons -- and are fourth in the league in total offense (388.6 YPG) and second in scoring (30.5 PPG). The Atlanta D/ST has provided some value of late, but nowhere near enough to be utilized versus San Fran in the fantasy playoffs.

Atlanta allowed 279 yards in the 26-18, Week 13 loss to New Orleans and will play the Panthers on Sunday.

Analysis: Despite the low yardage total, the Falcons provided nothing of note in this contest, with zero takeaways and zero sacks. Their own offensive issues (nine sacks and three giveaways) led to the Saints running only 49 plays, which may have been a blessing in disguise. The Panthers are coming off a loss to the Redskins in which they had two giveaways and seven sacks allowed, keeping them near the bottom of the league in both categories. There's plenty of fantasy potential in this matchup, but it's…read more

Atlanta surrendered 446 yards and 28 offensive points during Sunday's 35-22 loss to Tampa Bay and will play the Saints on Thursday.

Analysis: The Falcons picked off QB Jameis Winston twice but were otherwise unable to slow down the Buccaneers through the air, as they allowed 11.2 yards per pass and didn't record a sack. Atlanta has looked better defensively since the Week 9 bye and shut down New Orleans only a couple weeks ago, but it seems ill-advised to expect a repeat performance after Sunday's game. The Saints have scored 34 points in back-to-back contests and make the Falcons D/ST a risky play in Week 13.

The Falcons allowed 347 yards and three points Week 11 against the Panthers and will play the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Analysis: Atlanta entered their Week 9 bye with only four takeaways and seven sacks for the season, but over the last two games they have turned things around with four takeaways and 11 sacks. Kenjon Barner also added a punt return for a touchdown versus Carolina. The Falcons appeared to be an unstartable defensive unit only a few weeks ago, but their recent performance and the Week 12 matchup with the turnover-happy Buccaneers (25 giveaways) brings them back on the fantasy radar. The horrible first…read more

The Falcons had six sacks and gave up only nine points to the Saints in Week 11 and will play the Panthers on Sunday.

Analysis: Atlanta entered the game with only seven sacks all season, but it came out of the bye week swinging and limited New Orleans to only 310 yards. Unfortunately for the Falcons, one outstanding performance doesn't erase eight games of poor play, as they still rank dead last with only four takeaways -- the next closest team has seven -- and tied-28th in scoring defense (28.8). Until it shows any sort of consistency the Atlanta D/ST needs a great matchup to be worthy of fantasy consideration, and…read more

The Falcons come out of their bye week giving up 31.2 PPG and 379.5 YPG and will play the Saints on Sunday.

Analysis: The Seahawks had 27 points and 322 yards in the Week 8 win over the Falcons, but the result should have been significantly worse as Seattle went conservative on offense after taking a 24-0 lead into halftime. Atlanta has only four takeaways this season and isn't worth fantasy consideration going up against red-hot New Orleans.