Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 10th @ 1:00 PM ET
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Betting Odds: NO -5.5, 37.5 total via PFF.com
Expected Weather: N/A (Dome)
Network: FOX
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young (Sit)
The rough rookie campaign continues for Bryce Young. There have been some damming changes made to the Carolina coaching staff this year, and Young has seen the brunt of it. In the loss last week to Tampa Bay, Young completed 15 of 31 attempts for just 178 yards and an interception. He’s set to face the Saints defense that held him to 153 yards and a touchdown back in Week 2.
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard (Start, RB2), Miles Sanders (Sit)
Chuba Hubbard was the lone bright spot last week against the Buccaneers, having turned 25 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll be in line for another big workload this week, although the New Orleans defense allowing the 24th-most fantasy points to opposing RBs on the year.
Miles Sanders has been a disappointing free agent signing for Carolina, and has not factored in as fantasy-relevant this season.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Adam Thielen (Sit), Jonathan Mingo (Sit), Ian Thomas (Sit)
After such a reliable option to start the season, Adam Thielen has seemingly been an afterthought in recent weeks. Between Week 12 and 13, Thielen has four receptions on nine targets for 27 total yards. The Saints are very strong against opposing WRs, allowing the 30th-most fantasy points this season. The auto-start days are well behind Thielen at this point in the fantasy year.
Rookie Jonathan Mingo has put together some decent production in the last two weeks. He has 10 total receptions off 16 targets for 129 yards in that span after barely being featured all season long. If Young continues to use the rest of this year as a building block to build a rapport with Mingo, he could offer some FLEX appeal in the coming weeks.
Ian Thomas was the only healthy TE last week with Hayden Hurst out with a concussion, and Tommy Tremble out with a hip injury, but no matter who is the active tight end for the Panthers, they should be avoided.
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Derek Carr (Sit), Jameis Winston (Sit)
The hits keep coming for Derek Carr in his first season in New Orleans. While his recent shoulder injury (his second of the season) allegedly isn’t a concern, he’s now dealing with his second stint in the concussion protocol, and a rib injury to boot. You’ll need to monitor his practice sessions this week, but even if he clears, I would be hard-pressed to give him a start.
That leaves the door open for Jameis Winston, who would come in in relief. The Winston experience is forever a journey, and not one I would want to take in a pivotal fantasy week.
Running Backs
Alvin Kamara (Start, RB1)
No matter who is under center, Alvin Kamara should still ‘get his’ against a Panthers defense allowing the 2nd-most fantasy points to RBs on the year. Kamara is coming off a two rushing touchdown game against the Lions last week, and while the ground yards haven’t been there in recent weeks – 120 total between Weeks 12 and 13 – it’s his ability to thrive in the passing game that will forever keep him as a fantasy threat. In that same span, he has 10 receptions on 13 targets for 108 yards.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Chris Olave (Start, WR3), Rashid Shaheed (Sit), Juwan Johnson (Sit), Taysom Hill (Start, TE2)
Chris Olave was able to clear the concussion protocol and suit up in the loss to Detroit last week, and he had himself a good game. It was his second 100+ yard outing in back-to-back weeks (Week 12, he had 114, and vs. the Lions, he had 119), but he hasn’t found the end zone since Week 10; Week 11 BYE for what it’s worth. If we want to plan for Winston to be under center for the Saints this week, Olave will fare much better than he normally would with Carr, as Winston is not afraid whatsoever to play hero ball.
Rashid Shaheed missed the Lions game with a thigh injury, but even if he returns this week, he wouldn’t be a reliable option.
Juwan Johnson figured to be a popular waiver add last week, and so naturally he went on to lay a goose egg, catching zero of his three targets. It was Taysom Hill who was the productive TE in the game, finding the end zone on one of his 13 carries for 59 yards. Hill should have a role again if Carr were to miss this game, but it’s worth noting the Panthers are strong against TEs (albeit he’s not your typical tight end), allowing the 30th most points to the position on the year.