How to watch, what to watch for Raiders vs. Falcons in Week 12

Shootout potential abounds when the Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons meet on Sunday.

The Raiders (6-4) have scored at least 30 points in three consecutive games but left too much time for Patrick Mahomes in Week 11 as the Chiefs scored late to top the Raiders, 35-31. Quarterback Derek Carr threw three touchdowns, equally his TD total from the past three games combined. Tight end Darren Waller had his best fantasy performance since Week 4 as he caught seven balls for 88 yards and a score. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor hauled in six of nine targets for 88 yards and a TD as well, but his night could have been even bigger if not for some drops. Running back Josh Jacobs scored for a third straight week but gained just 64 yards from scrimmage on 18 touches.

The Falcons (3-7) certainly have the talent to put up big numbers, but their offense mustered over 248 total yards against the Saints in a Week 11 loss. Quarterback Matt Ryan threw two interceptions, took eight sacks and didn’t complete a touchdown pass for the fourth time in his last seven games. Calvin Ridley was the Falcons’ best player, catching five passes for 90 yards. Russell Gage was targeted a team-high 12 times and ended up with a 7-58-0 line. Gage got more work because Julio Jones was hobbled by a balky hamstring for most of the afternoon and concluded the game with just two catches for 39 yards.

TV Info

Date: Sunday, Nov. 29
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Broadcast map

Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)

Raiders: #14 Overall — #7 offense, #24 defense, #14 special teams
Falcons: #23 Overall — #21 offense, #21 defense, #19 special teams

DraftKings Sportsbook odds

Raiders: -3, -155
Falcons: +3, +135
Total: 55.5

Fantasy football start/sit advice

Raiders

Nelson Agholor, WR, $4,900

Derek Carr still doesn’t attempt a ton of downfield throws, but when he does, he has been very accurate and has usually been looking for Agholor, who has scored five times in his last seven games. Against a Falcons defense that has allowed the second-most yards and the third-most fantasy points per game to WRs, Agholor is looking more “boom” than “bust” this week.

Derek Carr, QB, $5,700

Carr is never the safest fantasy start, but he has a very high floor in this matchup with the Falcons, who rank 29th against quarterbacks. He could repeat his three-touchdown outing from Week 11 at an affordable price.

Falcons

Matt Ryan, QB, $5,900

After his stinker last Sunday, Ryan’s DraftKings price is at a season-low. But even if he doesn’t have Julio Jones in this game, there’s reason to believe he can succeed here. The Raiders have given up the sixth-most fantasy points per game to QBs, and they don’t have the type of pass rush (11 sacks in 10 games) that can really take advantage of Ryan’s inability to process quickly. He should have time to find open receivers

Brian Hill, RB, $4,000

Hill might be one of the best value plays on the board with Todd Gurley officially out because of a knee injury. Ito Smith and/or Qadree Ollison may also be involved, but Hill is expected to be the lead RB against a Raiders team that allows the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Hill has run for 261 yards on 60 carries in very limited action this year. He has also caught 16 of 20 targets for 111 yards.