Oct 16, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) celebrates after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons
Through the halfway mark of Fantasy Football 2022-23, more bye week madness kicks in each week that passes by. This week it’s two AFC West powerhouses sitting out with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers on the sidelines. It’s only two teams, but you miss out on Patrick Mahomes II, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Travis Kelce, Juju Smith-Schuster, Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, and Gerald Everett. If you are suffering from this unfortunate schedule, heres a QB and WR you should think about to fill the spaces.
Darius Slayton, WR84, New York Giants @ SEA (2.4% rostered)
The Giants keep on finding ways to win football games. One of those ways has been using their depth, which includes Darius Slayton. He was once a key part of the WR room in years past with Daniel Jones. This year, he started out on the practice squad, and when the phone rang, Slayton answered the call for Big Blue. Last week, his acrobatic TD catch put the Giants up to start the game, a sign that he can provide a spark on any play. In two of his past three games, Slayton has racked up at least 6 targets and 13.9 PPR points. As a downfield threat, Slayton has shown his capabilities catching the football. Seattle’s defense ranks in the bottom ten when it comes to passing yards allowed (249.4) so if you need another WR in a deep league, maybe now it is time to start believing in the magic and give Darius Slayton a dart throw.
Marcus Mariota, QB12, Atlanta Falcons vs CAR (24.1% owned)
How about this one? The Falcons and Panthers will play for sole possession of 1st place in the NFC South this weekend. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fallen victim to the injury list and to a defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night. This opens the door for both Carolina and Atlanta to go to the top. As this is a Falcons home game, it is rather easier to trust Marcus Mariota to have the better game. Although he is not the best QB that the NFL world has to offer, he does have dual-threat capabilities. He showed that against a tough San Francisco defense in week 6 where he had 24 PPR points. He has yet to throw for 250 yards in a game, but his legs give him another weapon fantasy-wise. Although consistency has the problem in Atlanta, this has to be a game where the Falcons push the pedal to the metal. With 1st place in the NFC South on the line, Mariota may not be such a bad sub in deeper leagues.
