Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 12, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Network: CBS
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Drake Maye: START, QB1
In just his second season in the league, Drake Maye led New England into Buffalo on prime time and came away with a dub. Although he didn’t throw any touchdowns, he didn’t have any turnovers and completed 73.3% of his passes. Expect a course correction against the Saints, who have allowed multiple passing touchdowns in every game this season and the seventh most points to quarterbacks. Start ’em if ya got ’em.
Running Back
Rhamondre Stevenson: START, RB2
TreVeyon Henderson: FLEX, RB3
The backfield situation in New England is truly baffling. Rhamondre Stevneson fumbled for the third time this season against the Bills, his NINTH fumble since the start of last season. Yet Mike Vrabel’s unflappable trust continues to feed Stevenson the rock, including 100% of the red zone work, leading to two touchdowns!? Antonio Gibson tore his ACL and is out for the season, so there’s one less mediocre veteran to steal touches from TreVeyon Henderson. But Vrabel apparently has the mindset of a sitcom Dad from the ’80s, and despite spending a 2nd round pick on a running back who looks every bit the part (and literally has zero fumbles in his collegiate and pro careers), Henderson still has to earn his touches. Who the heck knows when it’s going to happen? I sure don’t. With a juicy matchup on tap and Stevenson the lead dog, he’s an RB2, with Henderson a risky FLEX.
Wide Receiver
Stefon Diggs: START, WR2
Kayshon Boutte: SIT
DeMario Douglas: SIT
I tend to avoid wide receivers who are over 30, but man, not the way Stefon Diggs has looked as of late. It took a couple of weeks to shake the rust off, but Diggs has become THE guy for Drake Maye. Over the past two weeks, among receivers with at least 25 routes, Diggs is in the top five in targets (19), receptions (16), yards per route run (6.33), first read rate (44.4%), air yards share (52.5%), target rate (39.6%), and the list goes on. The Saints have surprisingly been a difficult fantasy matchup for receivers, but Diggs’ dominance of the Patriots’ pass production plants him firmly in WR2 land. There’s no other Patriots receiver worth consideration, even in deep leagues.
Tight End
Hunter Henry: START, TE1
Hunter Henry has come back down to earth after going nuclear week three versus Pittsburgh, but he’s a start against the Saints. New Orleans has allowed three touchdowns to tight ends over the past two weeks and allows the sixth most fantasy points to the position.
Defense/Special Teams
New England Patriots: START
The Saints rank among the bottom five in average team points scored per game and the bottom 10 in yards per game.
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Spencer Rattler: SIT, QB2 (BARELY Startable in Superflex)
Running Back
Alvin Kamara: FLEX, RB3
Kendre Miller: FLEX, RB3
With or without an Alvin Kamara trade out of New Orleans, it seems as if Kendre Miller‘s takeover of the backfield is inevitable. Miller’s snap share has increased every game to a season high of 41.2% against the Giants. He also outcarried Kamara for the first time, 10-8, Miller’s second straight game with double-digit carries. Kamara has unsurprisingly maintained the passing game role, limiting both the floor and upside for each. The Pats present a tough matchup, allowing the fifth fewest fantasy points to running backs. Outside of injury or a trade, both backs should be considered FLEX plays at best.
Wide Receiver
Chris Olave: START, WR2
Rashid Shaheed: FLEX, WR4
Brandin Cooks: SIT
What a weird season it’s been for Chris Olave. He’s one of eleven receivers with 50 or more targets and one of seven with at least 30 or more receptions, but is tied for WR30, averaging 12.5 fantasy points per game. Sadly, the elite volume isn’t adding up to elite production, with Olave totaling just 244 receiving yards and a lone touchdown in 2025. There’s not much upside with Spencer Rattler under center, but Olave offers possibly the safest floor in the history of fantasy sports. If he’s able to get in the endzone against the Patriots, he could tease the 20-point threshold. But he’s a low-end WR2 with a near guaranteed double-digit floor. It’s a little-known iPhone trick, but if you ask Siri what the definition of a boom/bust player is, she’ll respond with Rashid Shaheed.* He’s the ultimate dart throw FLEX play, and if you roster him, this is a good week to take the risk. New England has allowed 10 completions of 20+ yards or more, tied for second behind Dallas.
*may or may not actually be true.
Tight End
Juwan Johnson: SIT
Taysom Hill: SIT
The returns of Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau sprinkled some salt in the wound of the ever-fading Juwan Johnson breakout season. Johnson’s snap percentage dipped into the 80s for the first time this season, and now has back-to-back games of single-digit points. New England is a top 10 fantasy matchup for tight ends, but Johnson isn’t a consideration even in the deepest of leagues. Taysom Hill played his typical “joker” role, but tallied -1 yard on six carries and completed one pass. He belongs on the waiver wire.
Defense/Special Teams
New Orleans Saints: STREAMER (1 Week)
The Saints’ defense is tied for the league lead with five fumble recoveries and the fourth most turnovers with eight.