Is Todd Gurley II A Good Fantasy Option Vs. The Cowboys?

Fantasy owners could have the best running back in the league, but if that running back's team falls behind on the scoreboard, his value is going to be limited.

Todd Gurley II is not in the conversation for one of the best backs in the league as he was a few years ago. That, though, does not mean he can't have substantial value this season. However, it is directly tied to the Falcons stopping their habit of falling behind early in games.

In Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, the Falcons trailed by 11 in the first quarter and then the deficit became 16 at the end of the third quarter. Because of that, the Falcons did not have a single rushing attempt in the final 15 minutes, and Gurley's final touch came with 1:54 remaining in the third quarter. Gurley posted 57 yards from scrimmage with 15 touches and managed to salvage his fantasy day with a goal line touchdown.

The disappointing Falcons debut could cause some fantasy owners to bench him for Week 2, but with the matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, owners should be willing to give Gurley another chance.

The Cowboys allowed the Los Angeles Rams to rush for 153 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. Granted, it took the Rams 40 carries to reach that total -- that's an average of 3.8 yards per carry -- but Los Angeles lead back Malcolm Brown posted 4.4 yards per attempt and tallied both scores.

In Week 1, the Cowboys allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. One game is a small sample, but after another performance that looked utterly the same as 2019, the Falcons have to do something differently. That could very well be stubbornly sticking with the Gurley and the rushing attack, especially if the Atlanta defense has better luck slowing down the Cowboys than they did Russell Wilson.

Furthermore, Dallas will be without linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who broke his collarbone in Week 1. Vander Esch is arguably Dallas' most important defender, especially against the run.

The Cowboys are expected to have a weaker secondary this season, but a very strong defensive line. Perhaps the front seven defends the run better in their home opener than last Sunday night, but the real strength for Dallas is in the pass rush. If the Falcons ask Matt Ryan to drop back more than 50 times as they did Sunday, then the Atlanta offensive line and Matt Ryan could be in for a very long day.

The Falcons must establish a ground game with Gurley, and should Atlanta be able to keep this one close, Gurley should easily record 17-20 touches. Given what Brown was able to do with that volume and the likelihood Gurley receives a few goal line opportunities again, he's a solid RB2 option in 12-team leagues this weekend.

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