Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 10th at 1:00 PM ET
Location: FedExField, Landover, MD
Betting Odds: -1.5 NO, 44.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Writer: Marc Salazar (@oldsnake77 on Twitter and Reddit)
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Jameis Winston (Sit), Taysom Hill (Sit)
Perhaps no offense in the league has been as disappointing to begin the season as the Saints. Without many viable pass-catching options, the Saints have relied on the run game to mask their limited pass-catching options. New Orleans is passing the ball just 42% of their offensive snaps, down from 53% in 2020, and currently last in the league. After one highly efficient passing day, Jameis Winston has been a middling QB3 that is struggling with decisions and could be in danger of losing his job. Savvy owners with roster space could look to add Taysom Hill this week in hopes that he earns the job, and instantly becomes an intriguing option at QB.
Running Backs
Alvin Kamara (Start, RB2)
If we are box score scouting, Alvin Kamara had a very solid Week 4, finishing with 120 yards on the ground on 26 rushing attempts. Digging deeper, however, Kamara finished as the overall RB25. To make matters worse, Kamara did not see a target for the first time in his career. Kamara has four career games on 20+ carries, and three of those have come this season. AK41 is one of the most dynamic players in the league, but his value is only maximized when he is being targetted out of the backfield. For now, managers can do nothing but continue to play Kamara as an RB2 and hope this offense turns around. Until then his ceiling is capped.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Marquez Callaway (Start, Low-end Flex), Juwan Johnson (Start, Low-end TE1), Adam Trautman (Sit)
The receiving situation is best described as ugly right now in New Orleans. Marquez Callaway saw 82% of the team’s offensive snaps but managed just two targets. Granted he did finish with 74 yards, but his fantasy performances are going to be explosive or invisible. Washington has given up 45+ points to fantasy receivers, good for 30th in the league and nine points above average. Managers looking for a speculative option at receiver for the week could give Callaway a shot.
At tight end, the Saints duo of Adam Trautman and Juwan Johnson has presented an interesting look into what a team does with the scheme. Trautman is playing nearly 705 of the teams snaps, with Johnson seeing just about 25%. However, the team is using Trautman primarily as a blocker and that is a role that almost no one expected. Instead, Johnson is the primary target at tight end but with such limited playing time and a capped passing attack, Johnson will be highly touchdown-dependent week to week. This week the Saints face a Football Team that has only allowed one passing touchdown to the position and are above league average in points allowed. This is a situation we can avoid, but managers can look to add Johnson as the bye week gauntlet is just around the corner.
Washington Football Team
Quarterback
Taylor Heinicke (Sit)
Washington Football Team’s young quarterback, Taylor Heinicke, is on a roll with three straight QB1 finishes, and several thrilling individual plays on the field. Heinicke has thrown multiple touchdowns in all three games and eclipsed the 30+ point mark for the first time last week. However, this week he faces fantasy’s toughest defense in the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans is allowing just 14 points to opposing quarterbacks, and have seven picks in their four games. Heinicke’s impressive season will hit a speed bump this week and isn’t a great option for fantasy managers.
Running Backs
Antonio Gibson (Start, RB2), J.D. McKissic (Start, Flex)
Heading into the season, fantasy managers had hopes that Antonio Gibson could become a true workhorse, with an increased role in the passing game and two-minute drill. However, four weeks in, it is clear that J.D. McKissic isn’t going away, and that’s ok. Gibson is still an elite rusher with the ball in his hand, and his work as a receiver is encouraging. Gibson ran routes on 45% of Heinicke’s dropbacks and though he was targeted just twice, he caught both. Gibson scored another touchdown last week and finished as an RB2 for the fourth straight week. Managers want to continue to start Gibson as an every-week RB2, with upside. His breakout game is coming, and while that might not increase his role, he is a monster at the goal line and is an easy start each week, regardless of opponent. For McKissic, he continues to make plays as a receiver, scoring again and catching five balls for 44 yards. For managers that elected to go Zero RB, McKissic is a poster child. Since the start of 2020, J.D. has finished as a weekly RB2 or better in 50% of his starts. That is exactly what we are looking for in a Flex play, and should be in your lineup this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Terry McLaurin (Start, WR2), Curtis Samuel (Start, Flex), Logan Thomas (Sit, Injury)
Terry McLaurin is dominating targets in Washington, and with injuries to Logan Thomas, his usage will only increase. McLaurin has seen 38 targets in four games, and the next closest Football Team player has just 15. New Orleans has an incredible secondary but the Team will continue to pepper McLaurin with targets and managers can hope he finds the end-zone. While he is a low-end WR2 this week, he should be in your lineup unless you have a clear better option. Curtis Samuel returned to the lineup last week but played just 38% of the team’s snaps. Expect Samuel’s role to increase and with the injuries the Team is facing his role should increase. Still, it isn’t a plus matchup but he can be on the Flex radar this week if needed.
Logan Thomas suffered a hamstring injury last week and will miss this game. Keep an eye on Ricky Seals-Jones. RSJ is an athletic freak and still just 26 years old, playing on his second contract. Historically that profile has produced several star fantasy tight ends, and RSJ could be the next.
-Marc Salazar (@oldsnake77)