Falcons@Saints
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 10th at 1:00 pm EST
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Betting Odds: NO -13, 51.5 Total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Sleeper Spotlight: Ted Ginn
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
- Matt Ryan (Start if healthy)
Matt Ryan is expected to return for this week’s matchup with the Saints. It is not the easiest matchup to return for, but Ryan is still a start if he’s healthy. The Saints are the 12th best pass defense by DVOA, but Ryan has played well this year. The Falcons’ defense is a mess that will likely force them to throw the ball to keep up with the Saints. Ryan will rely on his great pass-catching group. With six teams on byes this week, that’s all you can ask for.
Running Backs
- Devonta Freeman (Start/RB2)
The Saints pose a difficult matchup for RBs this year, ranking sixth in rush defense by DVOA. But Devonta Freeman has something that few other backs have, a bankable workload. Without Ito Smith in week eight, Freeman was on the field for 80% of the snaps and had 8 targets. As of writing this (Tuesday), there is no word on whether Smith will play. As long as he’s out, Freeman will be a solid RB2 play, especially with six teams on their bye weeks.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
- Julio Jones (Start/WR1)
- Calvin Ridley (Start/Flex)
- Russell Gage (Sit)
- Austin Hooper (Start/TE1)
Julio Jones is good. Next. Calvin Ridley was a mild disappointment in the Falcons’ first game without Mohamed Sanu. He had four catches for 70 yards, but Matt Schaub threw for over 400. He was out targeted by Russell Gage, who posted four for 58 yards. Gage was the clear third WR and has taken over Sanu’s role. Ridley should be able to bounce back this week against Eli Apple. Gage is someone to monitor going forward if he can take control of Sanu’s vacated targets. Austin Hooper is the TE1. In this TE landscape, be very happy.
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
- Drew Brees (Start/QB1)
Well, I guess Drew Brees’s thumb was fine. He came out firing in his first game back, throwing for 373 years and three touchdowns. Now with the bye week to fully heal up, Brees will get the Falcons and their 31st ranked pass defense at home. The Falcons pass defense is only better than the Dolphins, though they are closer to Miami than they are the Bengals who are just above them. Brees is probably the top play this week.
Running Backs
- Alvin Kamara (Start/ RB1)
- Latavius Murray (Sit)
As of Tuesday, there was no news on Alvin Kamara’s status. Kamara was held out an extra week before the bye with the expectation that he will suit up for the game with the Falcons. As long as he is out there, Kamara is an RB1 that you have to start. The Falcons appear to be a solid defense against the run, ranking 10th by DVOA. But I would argue that is a mirage, the Falcons get decimated by the pass so teams end up not running that early during games. Then the opponent gets to a large lead and runs the ball. This allows the Falcons to stop the run and make their stats appear better than they are. Kamara is still set up to have a strong game if the Falcons can stop the run. Kamara has repeatedly torched the Falcons in the passing game and this defense is the worst Falcons defense he will have faced. Latavius Murray is a bit of a question mark heading into this week. Before Kamara’s injury, Murray saw his snap counts dwindle as the Saints rode Kamara while Brees was out. But with Brees back in the lineup, Sean Payton may want to diversify the backfield again as he has in the past. I think Murray should stay on the bench for another week to see how his usage will play out unless Kamara is out again. Then he is an obvious start.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
- Michael Thomas (Start/WR1)
- Ted Ginn (Sleeper)
- Jared Cook (Start if healthy)
Could all three of Brees, Kamara, and Michael Thomas finish as the highest scorer at their position this week? It’s not out of the question because of how this offense is set up. The passing game is focused on getting the ball to Thomas and Kamara. Thomas is averaging 11 targets a game while the rest of the WRs and TEs are averaging 12 per game combined! Thomas is everything you want in a WR1 and is in a smash spot against the horrid Falcons defense. Ted Ginn is listed as the sleeper for this game because of how bad the Falcons are (this is still for deep leagues or DFS). There are numerous instances every game where a receiver is wide open against this defense and Ginn can get behind the defense regularly. Brees will take some shots downfield and Ginn has a good shot of connecting for a touchdown this week. Like Kamara, we currently have no updates on Jared Cook’s availability this week as of writing this preview. If he is healthy, Cook is an easy start against this defense.
-Frank Costanzo (@FrankQBList; Reddit: Zzzonked92)
I’m faced with a must-win against the top team this week (non-PPR, no flex, start 3WR) – would I be crazy to start Jacobs over Saquon and gamble on a higher ceiling? My other RB is Cook.
Yes, you must start cook and barkley
I’m having a hard time deciding on my flex and QB this week.
For the flex It’s between
Chris Carson, Darren Waller, Allen Robinson or John brown.
QB is either Stafford or Josh Allen
You mentioned Curtis Samuel, Larry Fitz, and Brieda all as starters.
I’m in a 12 team PPR league with 2 flex spots. If you had to choose 2, who would you roll with?