Thursday October 15, 2015
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

This could be a better game than anticipated and should be a huge game for fantasy owners. There a ton of huge names in this game. Even the backups have sleeper potential in this game. Guys like Tevin Coleman, Leonard Hankerson. Even the always disappointing C.J. Spiller. Only because the Falcons are absolutely miserable against pass-catching backs, though. He’s still a longshot. The Falcons are heavy favorites, nevertheless, road teams tend to struggle on Thursday nights, even team’s that are usually no-brainers.

Atlanta Falcons: Key Players

QB Matt Ryan
Ryan should have a field day against a miserable Saints pass defense. He’s had a good week on the injury report, too. Both Julio Jones and Leonard Hankerson were questionable and are now listed as probable. The Saints are allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Verdict: Start Ryan. Great matchup and excellent weapons. He’s a very strong QB1 this week.

RB Devonta Freeman
Freeman has been ridiculous over the past three weeks. He has compiled 539 yards and seven touchdowns on a whopping 88 touches. Coleman is going to start seeing more touches eventually. With that said, Freeman is a must-start until further notice.
Verdict: Start Freeman. He’s been way too good to put on your bench. Plus, the Saints can’t stop anybody.

WR Julio Jones
Until Ben Roethlisberger or Dez Bryant return from injury, Jones is the undisputed top receiver in fantasy football.
Verdict: Start Jones. He’s a must-start every single week.

WR Leonard Hankerson
Hankerson has been very good this season and has far surpassed Roddy White for the WR2 job in Atlanta. He is becoming a viable flex option. Hankerson is seeing plenty of targets.
Verdict: Start Hankerson. When all else fails, start a Miami Hurricane. You can never go wrong. Just ask Allen Hurns and Travis Benjamin owners.

TE Jacob Tamme
Tamme has been very up and down this season. A lot of that has been due to injury. Had Jones and Hankerson missed time, he’d be a great option. Now, not so much.
Verdict: Sit Tamme. He’s not a terrible option and you can start him if you have to. However, that would be a less than ideal situation.

New Orleans Saints: Key Players

QB Drew Brees
Brees isn’t even close to what he used to be, but he’s still better than most options. If you have Brees it’s very unlikely you’re not starting him. With that said, the Falcons pass defense is much better than it has been in the past. They are allowing the 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs this season.
Verdict: Start Brees. Temper expectations though, the Falcons aren’t the slam matchup they used to be.

RB Mark Ingram
Ingram has a great matchup. He could have a ton of PPR value and should get his on the ground. I expect him to potentially put up mid to high-end RB1 numbers this week. He’s a particularly strong play in DFS leagues.
Verdict: Start Ingram. I’m particularly high on him this week and expect him to light it up. No team is allowing more fantasy points to opposing RBs.

WR Brandin Cooks
Cooks is coming off a strong week and should see plenty of targets this week. Especially with Marques Colston sidelined. Cooks has been a disappointment overall this season, however, I still expect him to come on strong.
Verdict: Start Cooks. I’m just not ready to write him off yet. Last week’s 107 yard and a TD performance was encouraging.

WR Willie Snead
While Cooks has disappointed, Snead has been a revelation. He’s become a tremendous waiver wire add and plug-in. His value only increases with Colston sidelined.
Verdict: Start Snead. With Colston out, there’s only one thing for Brees to do, “Feed The Snead”!

TE Ben Watson
Spoiler alert, Watson is the sleeper of this game. With Colston out, Watson should see the majority of the red zone targets. He’s a big dependable target Brees can rely on.
Verdict: Sit Watson. You’re sitting him in most leagues, but he definitely has value an upside. He is a sleeper in desperate situations.

Final Score
Atlanta: 42
New Orleans: 38

Best Play
Falcons: Devonta Freeman
Saints: Mark Ingram

Sleeper
Ben Watson