Carolina Panthers fantasy football outlook for Week 8 at the Falcons

Zane Gonzalez – Carolina Panthers K

Due to the Carolina Panthers’ horrific offensive showing last Sunday, kicker Zane Gonzalez didn’t get very many opportunities beyond one successful 45-yard field goal.

The veteran kicker has totaled 39 fantasy points since joining the team and has been more reliable than many expected after his poor first outing.

Start or Sit Week 8?

Buyer Beware.

The Atlanta Falcons are the fourth-best team in the NFL against kickers in fantasy, but that’s probably because touchdowns have been easy to come by against a team that’s allowing 29.3 points per game.

Carolina has been pretty putrid at scoring this year (20.9 PPG) and even worse at sustaining drives lately so I’m not sure if Gonzalez gets a ton of opportunities to kick this week.

Carolina Panthers DST

The Panthers’ defense tallied two fantasy points against the New York Giants, their worst score since the loss at the Dallas Cowboys. It’s no secret that the poor play on offense is compromising the effectiveness of the defense.

On the bright side, the unit got two sacks and held the Giants to a respectable 4.5 yards per play, good indicators that if the offense does its job, the defense can still do theirs.

Start or Sit Week 8?

Buyer Beware.

Atlanta has looked better and better on offense, but I’m confident the defense will hold their own. The Falcons have given up over eight fantasy points per game to defenses, but I don’t trust the offense to give the defense the rest they need to be effective.