Brian Hill

It's his chance to shine with the starting job, as both Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith are not going to be on the field. He racked up 21 touches in Week 10, so the Falcons clearly trust him with a big workload, as Kenjon Barner totaled just one touch. The Panthers are the best matchup in the league for running backs through 10 weeks. Sounds crazy, right? They're allowing a touchdown every 14.1 carries while no other team has allowed one more than every 20.6 carries. They've now allowed 14 rushing touchdowns on the year, while allowing just 10 passing touchdowns. That has propelled running backs to average 1.06 PPR points per opportunity (carries and targets), which is easily the highest mark in the league, as the closest team (Lions) have allowed 0.98 points per opportunity. If Hill can get 20-plus touches again, he could be in for a massive week. There have now been seven running backs who've posted top-15 RB numbers versus this Panthers team, and another eight running backs who snuck into the top-36 (RB3/flex numbers).

Brian Hill has coaches confidence in lead role

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn stated that he has confidence in Brian Hill if Devonta Freeman's injury proves to be serious.

Fantasy Impact

A healthy inactive early in the season, Brian Hill appears well on his way to grabbing hold of the lead back role in Atlanta thanks to injuries to both Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith. Hill pounded the rock 20 times and saw two targets, scoring once in Week 10, in a surprise victory over the Saints. Qadree Ollison will likely be more involved if Freeman is unable to go, but Hill will indeed be the lead back unless Ollision looks unstoppable. Pending the results of Freeman's MRI, Hill is in the mix to be the top waiver wire pickup of the week.