Panthers @ Saints: Fantasy Football Forecast
It’s fantasy playoff time! Are you ready to win your league? Here you’ll find the most interesting matchups of the Saints-Panthers game. Let’s do this!
CAROLINA PANTHERS
QB
Cam Newton, a former top 5 fantasy quarterback, is struggling big time. Over the last four week he scored just 46.18 fantasy points, a number that puts him out of the top-20 of fantasy QBs. He’s been outscored by Eli Manning, Kyle Orton and Zach Mettenberger. Even if the matchup seems to be a good one (the Saints are allowing the 6th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks) my advice is to sit Cam Newton.
RB
Jonathan Stewart is definitely a good start, as NFL.com Chris Anthony reports:
"Stewart could end up with the lion’s share of the backfield touches this week if DeAngelo Williams misses Week 14 due to his fractured finger. This is a situation to watch all week since Stewart has been productive with his chances. Stewart is averaging 4.25 yards per carry on the year and is tied for fifth in the entire league in yards after contact per attempt. If Williams ends up inactive against the Saints on Sunday, Stewart would have some flex value. Stewart’s appeal this week comes not just from a projected increase in carries, but also from a very good matchup. The Panthers travel to New Orleans this week to take on a Saints defense that is the fourth-easiest matchup for fantasy running backs. New Orleans has given up the third-most rushing yards per game (168) and 5.5 yards per carry over the last three games. Stewart averages just over eight fantasy points per game when given a chance to get the bulk of the carries. Only 18 percent of Stewart’s total fantasy points this season have come from touchdowns, so he is a good bet to be productive even if he doesn’t score. Watch the injury report because if Williams sits, the numbers like Stewart as a flex start or a good daily fantasy play."
WR
As usual, Kelvin Benjamin should start:
"Benjamin scored 5.6 fantasy points in last week’s loss to the Vikings, but he’s still had nine-plus points in five of his last seven games on the season. I’d keep him active against the Saints, who have struggled against wideouts. In fact, New Orleans has allowed 26 points or more to wideouts in three of their last four games. (Michael Fabiano)"
TE
Sit Greg Olsen? Michael Fabiano says ‘yes’:
"Olsen has been one of the top tight ends in fantasy this season, and chances are you’re going to start him. However, keep this little nugget in mind. The Miami (FL) product has failed to score a touchdown in each of his last six games against the Saints. Olsen has also never had more than 45 yards in a game against them in his career."
K
The Saints are allowing the 4th-most fantasy points to opposing kickers: Graham Gano should definitely be considered for the starting job this week.
D/ST
No way they’re even in your bench.
Nov 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Heinz Field. The Saints won the game, 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
QB
Brees is on fire! He’s gonna lead your team to fantasy heaven, believe dat!
RB
Even if Khiry Robinson will be available I think Ingram will get the majority of the carries once again. He should definitely start, as Michael Fabiano writes:
"Ingram got back on track last week in Pittsburgh, rushing for 122 yards and scoring double-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 10. The veteran out of Alabama should keep the fantasy points train rolling against the Panthers, who have allowed an average of more than 20 fantasy points per game to runners in 2014."
WR
Kenny Stills is playing like a WR2 and should be in your starting lineup. Michael Fabiano writes about Stills:
Stills has been an absolute monster in the stat sheets in recent weeks, including a 162-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 13. He’s been even better in PPR leagues, recording a combined 58.0 fantasy points in his last three games. The Panthers have struggled against home wideouts, so Stills is a terrific sleeper selection.
Marques Colston had 85+ receiving yards only three times this season and his production is heavily touchdown-dependent: he is a risky start. What about Joe Morgan? We know Brees likes to spread the ball around a lot so if last week Kenny Stills had a huge game, this week it might be Joe Morgan’s turn.
TE
Don’t even think about sitting Jimmy Graham only because of his 0 targets last week: it won’t happen two weeks in a row.
K
Shayne Graham is a reliable kicker…in reality. In fantasy? Not so much, but it’s not his fault: he only attempted four field goals over the last five weeks. Sit him.
D/ST
If there’s one week you might think about starting the Saints’ defense it’s this one. The last the two teams met in October the Panthers scored only 10 points and Cam Newton was sacked four times.