Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 15, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Network: Fox
Writer: Matt LaMarca (@MattLaMarca on Twitter)
Washington Commanders
Quarterback
Jayden Daniels: Start, QB1
Jayden Daniels came out of the gates red hot for the Commanders. He was putting up big numbers for fantasy purposes, while the Commanders were one of the top offenses in football from an efficiency standpoint. His performance took a slight dip while he was dealing with a rib injury in the middle of the season, but he’s bounced back in a big way in his past two outings. He’s racked up at least 28.6 fantasy points in each, and he’s finished as a top-two scorer at the position in both outings. There’s no reason to take him out of your lineup vs. the Saints. His combination of rushing ability and passing efficiency is tough to beat for fantasy purposes.
Running Back
Brian Robinson: Start, RB2
Jeremy McNichols: Sit
Chris Rodriguez: Sit
Brian Robinson doesn’t bring anything to the table as a pass-catcher, which caps his fantasy upside most weeks. Catching passes is one of the most valuable fantasy skills that a running back can possess, and it’s a reason why he’s more of an RB2 or FLEX option most weeks. That said, it shouldn’t be a huge hindrance vs. the Saints. The Commanders are sizable road favorites against a team that has struggled both offensively and defensively. It sets up what should be a very favorable game script against a team that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Robinson should get the majority of the carries in the team’s backfield, giving him a chance at 100+ yards and a touchdown.
Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez have both seen a boost in value recently with the injury to Austin Ekeler. That said, it’s not enough to put either on the fantasy radar. They could get a bit of work if this game turns into a blowout, but both guys are outside my top 40 at the position this week.
Wide Receiver
Terry McLaurin: Start, Upside WR2
Noah Brown: Sit
Terry McLaurin is really the only receiver worth considering for the Commanders this week. That said, he’s a really strong option. He’s right on the WR1/WR2 border, checking in somewhere between WR10 and 12 overall. It took McLaurin and Daniels a few weeks to get their chemistry down, but they’ve been an elite combination ever since. McLaurin has posted a 23% target share and 40% air yards share this season, and he’s finished inside the top 20 at the position in 10 of his past 11 games. That includes two straight weeks inside the top 10, including a No. 2 finish at the position last week. The Saints have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing receivers this season, so it’s a quality matchup as well.
It looked for a while like Noah Brown might emerge as a legit No. 2 receiver in this passing attack, but that unfortunately hasn’t happened. He’s still seen a handful of targets; it just hasn’t resulted in much fantasy production. His route participation also dipped to just 50% last week, which was his lowest mark since Week 2. Ultimately, there’s not enough upside here to get into the FLEX conversation.
Tight End
Zach Ertz: Streaming Option, TE2
Ertz is right on the cusp of being a TE1 for me, falling just outside the top 10 at the position in Week 15. He’s had a steady role in the Commanders’ passing attack all season, racking up a 20% target share through his first 13 games. However, he just doesn’t offer enough of a ceiling to justify a TE1 spot. He’s yet to crack the top five in TE scoring in a given week, so he’s a high-floor, low-ceiling type of play. You can certainly use him if you have to, but there are other options I feel better about.
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Jake Haener/Spencer Rattler: Sit
We’re still not entirely sure who will start at quarterback for the Saints on Sunday, but it definitely won’t be Derek Carr. He’s likely done for the year after fracturing his non-throwing hand vs. the Giants. Spencer Rattler got the starting nod in the first three games that Carr missed this season, but he struggled mightily in that role. Jake Haener replaced Carr after the injury on Sunday, although it was only for two drives. My money would be on Haener earning the start vs. the Commanders, but neither guy is viable for fantasy purposes.
Running Back
Alvin Kamara: Start, RB2
Kendre Miller: Sit
Alvin Kamara has been one of the top running backs in fantasy this season, and there’s no real reason to take him out of your lineups on Sunday. However, I do worry about his potential workload down the stretch. The Saints are so banged up already and have nothing to play for, so they might look to limit Kamara’s touches moving forward. He’ll turn 30 before the start of next season, so there’s no real need to put any more tread on his tires. That threat is enough to downgrade him from an RB1 to an RB2 for fantasy purposes.
We already saw Kendre Miller cut into Kamara’s workload slightly last week. He played on 26% of the team’s offensive snaps and handled 30% of their carries, which was his highest figure of the season. Miller finished with 32 rushing yards and a touchdown in that contest, but he’s not really startable as long as Kamara is available. If they should choose to shut Kamara down before the end of the year, though, he could be a league-winner. He’s a priority bench stash for the fantasy playoffs.
Wide Receiver
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Sit
The Saints didn’t have any startable fantasy receivers before their starting quarterback got hurt, so that’s not going to change with the backups in. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is the only player even close to warranting consideration, but he’s a boom-or-bust player who has relied on touchdowns to salvage some value. He’s not seeing enough consistent targets to feel comfortable starting, especially with Carr out of the picture.
Tight End
Juwan Johnson: Streaming Option, TE2
Foster Moreau: Sit
Someone besides Kamara has to catch the passes in New Orleans with all the injuries they’ve accumulated. For the most part, it’s been the tight ends. Tasyom Hill had a monster game before getting injured, leaving Juwan Johnson as the team’s top remaining option. He managed to snag a touchdown last week, and he’s posted a respectable 17% target share over his past two outings. That’s not exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s good enough to get into the streaming conversation. Of course, he’s going to be catching passes from a backup quarterback, so make sure to keep that in mind.
Foster Moreau also sees a boost given the team’s injury situation, but he’s more of a TE3. He’s running fewer routes and seeing fewer targets than Johnson, so he’s not startable.