49ers @ Saints
This was a fairly sloppy game on both sides until New Orleans got their act together after the first quarter. There were a number of costly penalties and turnovers from both sides in this one. The Saints ran three scoreless plays in the first quarter and fumbled a punt that led to a 49ers field goal. The 49ers got up 10-0 but were then outscored handily 27-3. They fumbled a punt deep in their own territory twice and failed on fourth down around midfield that led to New Orleans touchdowns. The biggest worry for the Saints is that Drew Brees got banged up towards the end of the first half, stayed in the game, and then did not play at all in the second half. He seemed to have a rib injury. The Saints defense dominated in the second-half and they won 27-13.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Nick Mullens: 24/38, 247 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 2 sacks | 1 carry, 3 yards
Nick Mullens started off well, hitting Brandon Aiyuk for an easy score on play-action on their first drive. After that, the 49ers failed to score a touchdown. He was under pressure constantly and did not throw the ball downfield often. Mullens and the 49ers offense had their share of chances but the multitude of injuries and costly mistakes by Mullens and other 49ers made it tough to win. The 49ers are on a bye next week and then will face a tough Rams defense. Mullens isn’t a recommended play if he is starting that game.
Running Backs
Jerrick McKinnon: 18 carries, 33 yards | 3 targets, 1 reception, 13 yards
JaMycal Hasty: 3 carries, 13 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, -4 yards
There was nowhere to run for these running backs against a strong Saints defensive front. Jerrick McKinnon was the main running back but he was not able to get much of anything going. He will likely fall back into a change of pace type role after the bye week when the 49ers should get Raheem Mostert and perhaps Tevin Coleman back from injury. JaMycal Hasty wasn’t involved much with five opportunities and he did not do much with his chances. Hasty broke his collar bone late in this game, and the rest of his season is in doubt. It is safe to move on from Hasty.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Brandon Aiyuk: 14 targets, 7 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD | 1 carry, -8 yards
Kendrick Bourne: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 26 yards
Richie James: 5 targets, 3 reception, 26 yards, 1 fumble lost (Special teams)
Jordan Reed: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 62 yards
Brandon Aiyuk was targeted early and often in this one. He caught a touchdown on the first drive of the game and had chances for more but was unable to connect on them. He had three receptions and four targets on the first drive alone. See Aiyuk’s easy touchdown below in GIF form. The 49ers should have wide receiver Deebo Samuel back from injury after their bye week but we will have to wait and see. Aiyuk should be an upside WR3 going forward.
In his second game back from injury, tight end Jordan Reed looked great. He had multiple contested catches and a couple of nice catch and run plays. Reed is a tight end one going forward as long as he is healthy and stud TE George Kittle remains out. The other receivers had short receptions and couldn’t break long plays with their chances and thus did not perform well in fantasy.
Brandon Aiyuk walks in.#FantasyFootball | #49ers pic.twitter.com/KHfCnpR0nY
— QB List (@TheQBlist) November 15, 2020
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Drew Brees: 8/13, 76 yards, 1 TD, 1 sack | 1 carry, -1 yard
Taysom Hill: 1 sack, 1 fumble lost | 8 carries, 45 yards
Jameis Winston: 6/10, 63 yards, 2 sacks | 4 carries, -2 yard
The big news for the Saints is the health of quarterback Drew Brees. He injured his ribs late in the first half on a questionable roughing the passer call and finished out the half. He did not play at all in the second half. Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill split time in the second half and neither looked particularly good at quarterback. I would expect Winston to start and play the majority if Brees can’t go, with Taysom playing his usual gadget role. The Saints have a juicy matchup with the Falcons next week and whoever is at quarterback would be a low-end QB1 in my opinion.
Running Backs
Alvin Kamara: 8 carries, 15 yards, 2 TDs | 8 targets, 7 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
Latavius Murray: 9 carries, 57 yards
Alvin Kamara was largely bottled up on the ground but scored two short rushing touchdowns to save his day there. He was heavily involved in the passing game, especially from Jameis, and caught an easy touchdown in the first half from Brees. Kamara is a no-brainer RB1 every week and has maybe the highest floor in fantasy. Check out one of his three touchdowns below. Latavius Murray had some nice runs to ice the game but isn’t involved enough with Kamara healthy to have standalone value. He is a must-own, however.
Nothing new here… Alvin Kamara into the end zone.#FantasyFootball | #Saints pic.twitter.com/YVtiwIlyaU
— QB List (@TheQBlist) November 15, 2020
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Michael Thomas: 7 targets, 2 receptions, 27 yards
Emmanuel Sanders: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
Jared Cook: 2 targets, 0 Receptions
Deontae Harris: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 24 yards, 1 fumble lost
This game was a mess for the non-Kamara receivers. Michael Thomas’ second game back was not a success as his usual efficient self struggled with efficiency. Most of his targets were highly contested and going from the highly efficient Brees to Winston may not be good for his fantasy value. He is a WR1 still and we are playing him if we have him. No one else in this passing game did anything of note but Jared Cook is a volatile low-end TE1. This group has a fantastic matchup against the Falcons next week.
— Kevin Taylor (@ktbeast918 on Twitter)