Week 14 vs. Carolina Panthers
In Week 13, Ridley finished with eight receptions on 10 targets for 91 yards, 113 air yards, 20% of the team targets, 33% of the team air yards and finished as the half PPR WR26.
The Panthers are sixteenth best against wide receivers, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. Jones draws a difficult matchup against cornerback Donte Jackson but did have eight receptions, 143 yards and one touchdown against Jackson in Week 11. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Ridley ranked as a low-end half PPR WR2.
Week 13 vs. New Orleans Saints
In Week 12, Ridley finished with six receptions on 14 targets for 85 yards, one touchdown, 189 air yards, 25% of the team targets, 36% of the team air yards and finished as the half PPR WR9. Ridley salvaged a WR1 performance with a touchdown from Matt Schaub in garbage time against Tampa Bay.
The Falcons are seven-point underdogs at home against the Saints with an over/under of 48.5 points. The Saints are third-best against wide receivers, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. Ridley could be used heavily if Julio Jones misses the game with a shoulder injury and Austin Hooper remains sidelined with a knee injury. Monitor Julio's injury closely as game time approaches. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Ridley ranked as a low-end WR1.
Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In Week 11, Ridley finished with eight receptions on eight targets for 143 yards, one touchdown, 124 air yards, 25% of the team targets, and 43% of the team air yards.
Ridley broke out of his slump against the Panthers and is in one of the best matchups possible this week. Austin Hooper and Devonta Freeman are still out, which should result in more opportunities for Jones and Ridley. The Falcons are playing at home with the highest over/under (51) of the week. Tampa Bay is dead last against wide receivers, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert John Paulsen has Ridley ranked as a low-end WR1. Ridley is a must-start across all league formats.
Week 11 at Carolina Panthers
In Week 10, Ridley finished with three receptions on five targets for 28 scoreless yards, 80 air yards, 14% of the team targets, and 31% of the team air yards. Ridley hasn’t topped 80 yards since Week 5 against the Texans and hasn’t found the end zone since Week 6 against the Cardinals.
If both defenders are healthy, Julio will most likely receive shadow coverage from James Bradberry and Ridley will be shadowed by Donte Jackson. The Panthers are 10th-best against wide receivers, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. This is a tough matchup on paper for Ridley. 4for4’s rankings expert John Paulsen has Ridley ranked as a middle of the pack half PPR WR3.
Week 10 at New Orleans Saints
The Falcons had a bye in Week 9.
Ian Hartitz of RotoWorld projects Julio Jones to be shadowed by Eli Apple with frequent bracket coverage from a safety and Calvin Ridley to be shadowed by Marshon Lattimore. Julio is a reliable start regardless of matchup but it is worth noting the Saints are 12th against wide receivers, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. Also, Matt Ryan could be under a lot of pressure because the Saints are top ten in sack rate and QB hit rate. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Ridley ranked as a high-end half PPR WR3.
Week 8 vs. Seattle Seahawks
UPDATE: The over/under dropped from 53 points to 50.5 points on Saturday, after Ryan was ruled out. The total is still over 50 but the game is less likely to turn into a shootout with Schaub starting over Ryan.
In Week 7, Ridley was the half PPR WR62. He finished with four receptions on six targets for 30 scoreless yards, 18% of the team targets, and 18% of the team air yards.
Ridley will look to bounce back at home against Seattle. Ridley should have more opportunities than previous games because Mohamed Sanu, averaged six targets per game, was traded to the Patriots. Also, the matchup against Seattle has the highest over/under (53) of the week. 4for4’s rankings expert John Paulsen has Ridley ranked as a low-end half PPR WR2.
Week 7 at Los Angeles Rams
Last week, Ridley finished with four receptions on six targets for 48 yards, one touchdown, 17% of the team targets, and 21% of the team air yards.
Ridley will look to establish a touchdown streak against the Rams secondary who lost Aqib Talib to IR and traded Marcus Peters to the Ravens. The Rams did acquire Jalen Ramsey but he will likely matchup against Julio Jones if Ramsey plays on Sunday. This matchup has the potential to turn into a shootout with the highest over/under (54.5) of the week. 4for4’s rankings expert John Paulsen has Ridley ranked as the half PPR WR26.
Week 6 at Arizona Cardinals
Ridley has been a tricky start/sit for fantasy owners this season. In the first two weeks, he had a combined 169 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 3 and 4, he only had a combined 38 yards and zero touchdowns. Last week, he salvaged his day with a late 29-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Thanks to the late touchdown, he finished as the half PPR WR13 with five receptions on nine targets for 88 yards, 20% of the team targets, and 39% of the team air yards.
Ridley will look to find the endzone in consecutive weeks against a poor Cardinals secondary that is still missing two starting cornerbacks. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Ridley ranked as the half PPR WR23 in a game with the second-highest over/under (51). The Falcons are passing at the highest rate in the league, 72%, and this game could turn into a shootout.
Week 5 at Houston Texans
In the first two weeks, Calvin Ridley had a combined 169 yards and two touchdowns. In the last two weeks, Ridley only had a combined 38 yards and zero touchdowns. Austin Hooper has emerged as a true receiving threat and lowered Ridley’s production. Ridley draws a favorable matchup against a weak Houston secondary but is a boom or bust WR3.
Week 4 vs. Tennessee Titans
Unlike Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley had a forgettable Week 3 against the Colts. He finished with one reception on one target for six yards, 3% of the team targets, and 2% of the team air yards. After the game, Ridley said, “It was hard to get open” against a zone heavy Colts defense. Despite the poor performance, Ridley is the Half PPR WR30 through the first three weeks.
Ridley will look to bounce back against the Titans this week but may have trouble getting open again because the Titans are ranked fifth best against wide receivers, according to our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4 rankings expert John Paulsen has Ridley ranked as the Half PPR WR30. Ridley has a decent amount of upside on a weekly basis but his floor is lower against a strong Titans secondary.
