New Orleans Saints: 3 studs, 2 duds in dominant victory over Bucs

Stud No. 3: Michael Thomas

Every time we’ve done studs and duds as a website, I’m pretty confident Michael Thomas has cracked the list. He’s just taken his game to levels that receivers in the NFL have not, and it’s impressive to watch.

Thomas totaled 8 receptions, 114 yards, and one touchdown. This was his sixth 100-yard game of the season.

The first receiver with over 90 receptions through the team’s first ten games, Thoams is on pace to break Marvin Harrison‘s 143 receptions in a single-season record. What he’s able to do with an offense that’s been as unstable as the Saints is highly impressive.

Thomas, whether you put two players on him or bring help overtop, just finds a way to get open, and after years of working together, his relationship with Brees is flourishing at the right time. Obviously, the return of Smith and the continued play of Ted Ginn Jr. haven’t hurt Thomas’ target share.

The Bucs give up the second-most passing yards per game, a figure that nears 300. In the team’s Week 12 matchup, they’ll take on a more challenging secondary in Carolina which ranks 19th in opponent’s passing yards per game.