Buccaneers vs. Saints
Buccaneers
Will Ryan Fitzpatrick be able to capitalize?
Ryan Fitzpatrick has no shortage of weapons to utilize and the role is up for grabs if he performs well while Jameis Winston is suspended. In his fourteenth season, this may be the most talented roster Fitzpatrick is able to helm and will bring a consistent arm to the role — expect a 60% completion rate, a pair of touchdowns, and an interception as his floor. New Orleans has a beatable defense and this could easily turn into a shootout.
What is the team’s plan for Cameron Brate and OJ Howard?
One of the biggest questions from this offseason is what Tampa Bay wants to do with their tight ends. The team signed Cameron Brate to a six-year extension and OJ Howard was the team’s first-round selection in 2017. Tampa Bay is heavily invested in both players and although Brate should lead the pair in targets, Howard could pose a red-zone threat to Brate’s workload.
How many snaps will Ronald Jones see?
Officially, Ronald Jones is listed as the team’s third running back, but Tampa Bay did not draft Jones with the 38th overall pick in this year’s draft to bury him in the roster. Jones should be worked into the team’s offense as he demonstrates consistently all-around and take over for Peyton Barber at some point this season – but that starts with usage in-game.
How will Chris Godwin factor into the team’s passing game?
Chris Godwin and DeSean Jackson are both lined up across from Mike Evans, both listed as the top receiver. Godwin started to break out at the end of last season and his stock has risen rapidly through the summer. Godwin has long been expected to eat into Jackson’s shares, but it is looking more likely that he may have usurped Jackson altogether as the team’s second wide receiver. Jackson could wind up more of a deep threat than consistent receiver depending on how Godwin performs early on this season.
-Brennan Gorman
Saints
Which running back will fill the void left by suspended Mark Ingram II?
This is the most pressing question that can be asked in these first four weeks. All offseason, writers have been speculating who will win the job behind Alvin Kamara. It seemed Boston Scott and Jonathan Williams showed enough in the preseason to get on the field, but the surprise signing of Mike Gillislee changed the narrative, as Scott and Williams were cut before the final roster deadline. Left on the roster, are well-traveled veterans Shane Vereen and the aforementioned Gillislee. Neither of these players are overly exciting, but the Saints goal line game plan could provide some fantasy value for Gillislee in these first four weeks. Unlike Boston Scott, neither of these players are talented enough to get meaningful playing time once Ingram comes back. Even though the Saints seem adamant about using multiple running backs, Kamara’s outstanding production will make it hard for Sean Payton to give touches to less talented players. Unless you are desperate for a starter in week 1, you can probably find a better option than Gillislee or Vereen.
Fantasy Usage Predictions:
Alvin Kamara – 18 carries, 75 yards; 10 catches 80 yards, 1 TD
Mike Gillislee – 8 carries, 30 yards
Shane Vereen – 3 catches, 20 yards
Gillislee has an outside chance at a touchdown, but Kamara is much more likely to score.
Without Ingram, will the Saints continue their emphasis on the running game? You have addressed the running backs, but how will this impact Drew Brees and the receiving corps?
I believe the Saints, especially without Ingram, will pass more this season. The red zone game plan was extremely run-heavy last season, but Sean Payton has shown the capability to design a multitude of passing plays that are effective near the end zone. In this preseason, there was a beautifully designed play for Michael Thomas that lead to a touchdown. Thomas, lined up on the outside of two other receivers, cut straight towards Drew Brees behind the line of scrimmage. Brees hit him in stride, as the two other players rushed forward to block. The other team had no chance, as Thomas plunged into the end zone. Essentially, Payton can design plays for anyone on this team that can lead to touchdowns. Thomas and Kamara have shown incredible talent after the catch, so these short, creative passes near the goal line could be common for both of them. Although this is unpredictable, without Ingram’s rushing talent, the Saints should be pass happy week 1. The only caveat to this prediction will likely be the game script. Without Winston, this Bucs team is not very formidable and could be losing early in this game. If the Bucs manage to score early, expect a big game from Brees through the air with Michael Thomas and Kamara receiving the most targets.
Fantasy Predictions:
Drew Brees – 35 attempts, 260 yards, 2 TD’s
Michael Thomas – 10 targets, 95 yards, 1 TD
Ted Ginn Jr. – 3 targets, 25 yards
Can the young Saints defense shut down the Ryan Fitzpatrick lead Buccaneers offense?
The Saints allowed an average of 20.4 points per game, tying them for 10th in the league last season. After allowing 65 points to the Vikings and Patriots, this young defense figured something out, allowing only 18 points a game in the remaining 14. It is fair to mention that against these elite teams the Saints did struggle, but so do most defenses! Their shutout against the Dolphins last year shows just how capable this team is when facing below average offenses and week 1 could be a great opportunity against the Winston-less Bucs. Marcus Davenport, the Saints first-round rookie, looked great in the preseason, which should give the Saints a formidable pass-rushing duo with Cameron Jordan opposite of him. Defensive Rookie of the Year Marshon Lattimore has proven he is an elite cornerback, capable of shutting down number one receivers like Mike Evans. This combination should make the Saints a good defense to start week 1.
Fantasy Prediction:
17 points allowed, 3 sacks, 1 turnover
Can Cameron Meredith become the second wideout in this offense? Will rookie Tre’Quan Smith carry his strong preseason performance into the regular season?
If you read my season preview of the Saints, I emphasized that Brees’s willingness to spread the ball around can make nearly every player in this offense fantasy relevant. Cameron Meredith was a favorite target of mine in many fantasy drafts because of the tantalizing production a Drew Brees target can produce. Although only catching two passes the entire preseason, he did put up 72 yards and a touchdown. Meredith should be first in line for targets behind Kamara and Thomas this week. Although Tre’Quan Smith will not provide much fantasy value week 1, his dominant preseason (17 targets, 15 catches, 189 yards, 1 TD) has shown that he has a significant chance to take over the second WR job later in the season. His snap and target count this week will be something to monitor. Smith is an interesting dynasty add before the season starts, and is an exciting name to look out for.
Fantasy Prediction:
Cameron Meredith – 5 targets, 40 yards
Tre’Quan Smith – 2 targets, 10 yards
-Stephen Dudas
Cards switched from a 3-4 to a 4-3 this season, not the other way around