Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 3, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Network: CBS
Writer: Chris Helle
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Derek Carr: Sit, QB2
Having been sidelined with an oblique injury the past 3 weeks, Carr returns to action against one of the juiciest matchups you could hope for. With an easier matchup and coming back from injury, it might be expected for the Saints to manage the downfield throws and keep things on the ground. His success at the start of the year came from throwing bombs to Rashid Shaheed, who’s out for the season. This week would provide your team with some floor if he’s your starting QB, but it’s less likely that he’ll reach the ceiling that many other, healthier QBs have.
Running Back
Alvin Kamara: Start, RB1
Kendre Miller: Sit
Kamara is the RB2 on the season and is locked into your lineup every single week, let alone with a matchup like this. No need to labor the points that he should see high-end volume and quality opportunities to make big plays. Kendre Miller is currently questionable for the game with a hamstring injury, but even if he’s good to go, he doesn’t see the field enough to be started.
Wide Receiver
Chris Olave: Start, WR1
Bub Means: Sit
Mason Tipton: Sit
Chris Olave is talented enough to make do with Spencer Rattler at QB, so having the starter back in this matchup should set him up for another great game. He’s the team’s leading receiver by a wide margin, so he should still see plenty of work even if Carr’s pass attempts are managed. The game script getting out of hand would mostly draw away from the team’s other receivers, who are less likely to see many targets: Bub Means and Mason Tipton.
Tight End
Taysom Hill: Streaming Option
Juwan Johnson: Sit
Being a gadget multi-tool player, Taysom Hill’s involvement is generally unpredictable. There aren’t many games you can start him with confidence, but with Carr still shaking off his oblique injury, Miller potentially not playing, and the offense expected to be in scoring positions, the door might be open to see him in more ways than one. Juwan Johnson, on the other hand, falls into the low-targeted receiver category.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Andy Dalton: Sit, QB2
After injuring his thumb in a car accident, Andy Dalton missed last week’s contest. This week, he should return as the Panthers’ starter, but he lost his key receiver in a trade as Diontae Johnson was sent to Baltimore. This is not a very high-scoring offense that’s now missing one of its key weapons, so look elsewhere for a starter in your fantasy lineup.
UPDATE: Looks like it’ll be Bryce Young slinging the rock for the Panthers this week. He’s as clear a sit as it comes, and he unfortunately lowers the ceiling of all skill position players around him.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: Start, RB2
Miles Sanders: Sit
Jonathon Brooks: Sit
Chuba hit a stretch of really great fantasy output between Weeks 3-6, but the last two weeks have been somewhat underwhelming. Even though he gets the lion’s share of carries, it’s a chicken-and-egg situation with his production and this offense’s efficiency. Jonathon Brooks may get his first career NFL action this week, though he won’t come in and immediately outpace Chuba. This week may not pose as a very difficult matchup, so even if Brooks plays, Chuba can be started and expected to see a good chunk of carries, but the other two RBs should be avoided.
Wide Receiver
Adam Thielen: FLEX Option, WR4
Xavier Leggette: Sit
Jalen Coker: Sit
With Dalton returning to lead this offense, he may lean on his veteran receiver, Adam Thielen. Xavier Leggette and Jalen Coker are both talented rookies, but we need to wait and see how this offense and the target share shake out in the absence of Diontae Johnson.
UPDATE: Bryce Young is the starter this week, which makes all Panthers pass-catchers ill-advised plays. Avoid them all if you can.
Tight End
Ja’Tayvion Sanders: Sit
Similar to the other pass teachers in this offense, Sanders’ involvement isn’t reliable enough to warrant starting him over other streaming candidates.