Saints @ Steelers: Fantasy Football Forecast
Well, Saints fans are definitely disappointed with their favorite team barely survivng at 4-7 but at least fantasy owners can be happy. Both Brees and Graham had a great game against the Ravens; it didn’t go as well for Ingram but kinda knew that. On the bright side, Pierre Thomas is back.
The Saints will have to face a good team on the road and it won’t be easy to come home with a W but overall this should be a good fantasy matchup. Let’s go deep and find out the best players to start since it’s almost fantasy playoff time!
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
QB
Big Ben has a tasty matchup this week against a Saints defense that has allowed almost 20 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year. He should definitely start and you should also check if he’s a free agent in your league – and pick him up.
RB
Jeremy Hill ran for 152 yards and Justin Forsett ran for 182 yards (and two scores) on the Saints defense the past two weeks: do I need to say anything else?
WR
Antonio Brown is a no-brainer. Martavis Bryant should be a good start too considering that he failed to put up 15+ fantasy points only once over the last four weeks. Plus, he will be covered by Corey White/Patrick Robinson so…
TE
Despite two huge games Heath Miller has been quiet this year in terms of fantasy production. Tight ends have a hard time against the Saints who are allowing the fewest fantasy points to the position: Miller should sit this week.
K
The matchup is great for Suisham (4th-most points allowed by the Saints to opposing kickers) but keep an eye on the weather forecast before deciding to start him.
D/ST
Even if they’re at home you know how I feel about starting a defense that is about to face Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham.
Sep 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph (98) during the first quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
QB
The road game might scare you but the Steelers are very good against fantasy quarterbacks (16+ fantasy points allowed this year). Don’t worry and keep Brees in your lineup.
RB
Khiry Robinson is still out and I believe both Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram are good options against a Steelers defense that is allowing 15 fantasy points or more to opposing running backs this year. Looking forward to seeing a bounce-back performance from Ingram who had a really tough matchup last week against the Ravens.
WR
Stills and Colston are nice flex options in my opinion. You can also gamble and start Joe Morgan but his production is big-play dependent.
TE
Jimmy Graham is a must, of course.
K
Shayne Graham is Michael Fabiano’s “start of the week” but, as I said before, the weather could be a factor in this game:
"Graham has cooled off in recent weeks, scoring a combined 23 fantasy points in his last four games. However, he also put up 36 points in his previous three contests, so he’s been a bit streaky. Look for him to turn things on against the Steelers, who have allowed an average of more than nine fantasy points to road kickers."
D/ST
No. Just…no.