Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, October 25th, at 8:15 PM ET
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Betting Odds: SEA +5 , 43.5 Total on Vegas Insider
Network: ESPN
New Orleans Saints
QUARTERBACK
Jameis Winston (Sit)
In Week 5, prior to their bye week, the Saints aired the ball out more against the Washington Football Team with 30 pass attempts for Jameis Winston. I’ll be interested to see if that continues, but just take a look at Winston’s finishes by week:
- Week 1: 3rd
- Week 2: 26th
- Week 3: 25th
- Week 4: 26th
- Week 5: 5th
That’s the roller-coaster you expected, Saints fans! The strength of the Seahawks is their run defense (9th in PFF run-defense grade), so why not air it out? Either way, I wouldn’t recommend starting Winston this week.
RUNNING BACKS
Alvin Kamara (Start, RB1)
Alvin Kamara was generally seen as the optimal third overall pick in fantasy drafts, but I was concerned about his upside in an inefficient, slow-paced offense with a lower target share. A lot of that is playing out this year, which has hampered Kamara’s scoring from “elite” levels to this point. That being said, the Saints are favored by five points here, and Kamara has gotten 20+ carries in three of their five games this year. Hopefully, Winston decides to target him in the passing game, because if that happens, we’re looking at a very strong finish this week.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Marquez Callaway (Sit), Deonte Harris (Sit), Tre’Quan Smith (Sit), Kenny Stills (Sit), Adam Trautman (Sit) Juwan Johnson (Sit)
Unless you have to – Marquez Callaway is fine to start as a FLEX in deep leagues given his big-play upside – please avoid this receiving corps at all costs. There are too many players searching for targets, and Kamara is the #1 receiver already. Add in the fact that they’ll likely be under 30 pass attempts in this game, and there’s not a lot to gain from these receivers or tight ends. It will be very interesting to see how Michael Thomas fits in when he returns from injury.
Seattle Seahawks
QUARTERBACKS
Geno Smith (Sit)
Please, Russell Wilson, please recover from your thumb injury smoothly. Until then, even in 2QB leagues, please do not start Geno Smith. Against a tough defense and in a run-heavy offense, there’s really nothing to gain.
RUNNING BACKS
Alex Collins (Start, RB2*), DeeJay Dallas (Sit), Rashaad Penny (Sit)
In place of Chris Carson last week, Alex Collins received 20 carries, rushed for 100 yards, and scored 16.1 PPR points. Volume wins, and assuming he’s healthy, you can count on another productive week. If he’s limited, you could see DeeJay Dallas and Rashaad Penny (off of injured reserve) mix in, though that wouldn’t make any of them a player you’d want to start. Remember, the Saints are the #1 run defense in the NFL in terms of rushing yards allowed/attempt.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
DK Metcalf (Start, WR2), Tyler Lockett (Start, WR2), Freddie Swain (Sit), Gerald Everett (Sit)
Once upon a time, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett were seen as clear top-ten receivers. Now? Not so much. Both are hampered extremely by a) limited passing volume and b) an inefficient passing attack led by Smith. Thus, they fall into the “boom-or-bust WR2” category rather than blue-chip players moving forward, especially against New Orleans. It was nice to see Gerald Everett back from the COVID-19 list last week, though it’s looking like he won’t be the late-round tight end gem many were hoping he’d be this season.
All Stats via Pro Football Focus