We’re back to a bit of an uninspiring Thursday Night Football matchup this week as the Carolina Panthers take on the Atlanta Falcons. Fantasy football managers and prop bettors are likely more interested in this game than anyone. Which is good news, because we’re on top of all angles in this matchup for both purposes.
One playmaker in the spotlight to produce is Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. Let’s dive into whether you should start Marshall against the Falcons.
Should You Start Terrace Marshall Jr. vs. the Falcons?
The Panthers are one of the league’s most disappointing teams across the NFL, sitting at 2-7, and they rotated quarterbacks mid-game last week. Despite having some quality young talent across their roster, the Panthers are already in evaluation mode for 2023. Marshall entered the year as one of the young guys who needed to show something.
While the Panthers’ season is all but over already, your fantasy football season is never over on Underdog Fantasy. Take the higher on Marshall’s receptions line on Underdog Fantasy for a deposit bonus of up to $100. Let’s dive into why that’s a good pick.
With 140 yards and his first career touchdown coming in the last two weeks, Marshall is an ascending presence on the unit. It certainly didn’t come easy, or quickly. Marshall was buried on the depth chart behind Shi Smith and Rashard Higgins entering the season, making him look like a possible trade target despite being a second-round pick in 2021.
Marshall has benefited from both the trade of Robbie Anderson and the firing of Matt Rhule. Since Week 3, he’s played no less than 86% of the offense’s snaps. Both he and running back D’Onta Foreman have responded with major contributions that should have the franchise considering these two as starters for 2023.
MORE: Terrace Marshall Jr. Waiver Wire Week 10
Of course, more work is needed from both throughout the back half of the season to be cemented into any role for the future. This week is a prime opportunity against the Falcons. Atlanta beat the Panthers 37-34 only two weeks ago but allowed Marshall to have a career-high 87 yards on four receptions.
Marshall is currently ranked at WR48 in our Week 10 PPR fantasy football rankings. I think that could prove to be way too low with A.J. Terrell continuing to miss practice for the Falcons. If PJ Walker has one of his stronger passing games or Baker Mayfield plays at some point, we could see Marshall hit triple digits.
The Falcons have allowed the second-most fantasy points to receivers. Only the Steelers have given up more, but only by 0.5 points despite giving up 0.3 touchdowns more per game. Atlanta is giving up a high volume of receptions (1.5 more receptions than the second-worst) and the second-most yards.
Marshall is a surprisingly solid fantasy option for managers who don’t have a star in line to start at WR or Flex. I think he could log a top-20 performance for Week 10.
I definitely like the higher on Underdog’s projected 36.5-yard line for Marshall in this one. The Falcons and Panthers may not repeat their 71-point outburst, but both units should be able to get up and down the field. Neither has the defensive personnel to stop what the other team does best.