Fantasy Demon

Matt Ryan had a workmanlike day on Sunday, completing 20-of-34 passes for 227 yards, a touchdown and interception in the Flacons’ 31-10 win over the Panthers.

Our View: Today is the perfect illustration of why Ryan is a better “real life” quarterback than fantasy one, as he did everything necessary to lead his team to a victory, just in fairly pedestrian fashion. He has now thrown for just 629 yards in his past three starts, but that hasn’t stopped Atlanta from going 3-0 over that time-frame.

Roddy White had a solid, if quiet, day on Sunday, hauling in eight catches for 79 yards in the Falcons’ 31-10 win over the Panthers.

Our View: Obviously not a bad day, but he was held out of the end-zone for the fourth straight week. He now has scored just twice since Week 7.

Michael Turner shredded the woeful Panthers on Sunday, carrying the ball 28 times for 112 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons’ 31-10 rout.

Our View: The three-TD game was his first since Week 5 of last season. Through 13 games in 2010, he now has 1,172 yards and 11 touchdowns, putting to rest any worries that he was already on the down-side of his career.

Falcons Week 14 inactives: RB Jason Snelling, QB John Parker Wilson, CB Dominique Franks, G Mike Johnson, OT Garrett Reynolds, DT Trey Lewis, DE Lawrence Sidbury, LB Cory Wire.

Our View: The absence will be Snelling’s second straight, but it doesn’t figure to be a big deal for a Falcons team traveling to Carolina to take on the 1-11 Panthers. Michael Turner is certainly in for another big day.

After practicing fully on both Thursday and Friday, Tony Gonzalez (ankle) is probable for Sunday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Our View: The veteran tight end will start against the Panthers and is safe to put in your lineup this weekend. Gonzalez has 54 receptions for 537 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Roddy White (knee) is probable for this weekend’s game against the Panthers, according to NFL.com.

Our View: Carolina may rank eighth when it comes to defending the pass, but they will be without cornerback Chris Gamble this week. Start White with confidence and hope Matt Rayn finds him in the end zone.

Tony Gonzalez (ankle) returned to Falcons practice on Thursday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Our View: This is good news after he sat out on Wednesday. The Panthers defend the pass well, which is about the only thing they have done successfully this season, but Gonzalez is a must-start every week.

Tony Gonzalez (ankle) did not participate in Falcons practice on Wednesday, according to NFL.com.

Our View: Expect the veteran tight end to return to at least limited practice later this week, be listed on the injury report and take the field against the Panthers on Sunday. Gonzalez has 54 receptions this season, four of which have gone for scores.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Tony Gonzalez is dealing with a sprained left ankle in the wake of Atlanta’s 28-24 win over the Bucs on Sunday.

Our View: However, he is tentatively saying he will give it a go next Sunday against the Panthers. Expect his status to be updated throughout the week.

Roddy White had a workmanlike day on Sunday, reeling in seven catches for 74 yards in Atlanta’s 28-24 win over the Bucs.

Our View: He was held out of the end-zone for the third straight game, but a still mostly positive day for Atlanta’s elite wideout. Look for him to erupt when Atlanta travels to Carolina next weekend.