Julio Jones OUT for Week 14: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is OUT for Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday due to his lingering hamstring injury, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports:
Julio Jones OUT for Week 14
The 4-8 Falcons have experienced a small renaissance under interim head coach Raheem Morris that has kept them on the periphery of the NFC playoff picture.
Unfortunately for them, playing without Jones hinders any chances they have to overcome a similarly flawed but talented Chargers club.
Julio Jones OUT: Fantasy Football Fallout
Jones’ fantasy football team managers must now pivot to other plans.
QB Matt Ryan also loses upside without Jones, dropping to a borderline QB1 in a mediocre matchup with a pesky Chargers defense.
Russell Gage is a natural pivot as a fantasy football waiver-wire pickup. He may have already served that very role for Jones’ fantasy GMs for the three games Jones previously has missed this season.
Tight-end streamers could have a smidge more confidence in using Hayden Hurst. After all, the Bolts are tied for the second-most touchdowns allowed to the position (9).
Jones’ absence would theoretically mean Calvin Ridley could score more targets. However, Ridley almost equally benefits from having Jones on the field to take away defensive attention and in turn enjoy 1-on-1 coverage.
Julio Jones OUT: Betting Fallout
The current Falcons-Chargers betting odds on PointsBet‘s NFL odds and lines page read as follows:
- Against the Spread: Falcons -1.5 (-110)/Chargers +1.5 (-110)
- Total: 49 — Over 49 (-110)/Under 49 (-110)
- Moneyline: Falcons (-131)/Chargers (+110)
- Implied Totals: Falcons 25.25, Chargers 23.75
For Week 14, the Under 49 (-110) feels like a much safer wager. Expect the spread to either be a Pick ’em or tilt back toward the Chargers. That Chargers (+110) also looks a lot nicer.
Atlanta could decide to shut Jones down for the rest of the season when they’re officially eliminated from postseason contention.
The Falcons draw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15 (home), the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs (road), and a rematch with the Bucs (road). Dock the Falcons if Jones were to miss any of those games; Atlanta would already set up to be heavy underdogs in each of those outings.
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