Notes from a fantasy football perspective on Week 15’s Monday Night Football matchup between the Saints and Panthers. Also, you can follow Collin on Twitter at @ukfantasyballer.
Saints (11-2) vs. Panthers (6-7)
While time of possession is expected to be be evenly split, the Saints are projected to have more passing yards and the Panthers more rushing. The Saints have a 62.3% chance of winning.
The line: Saints by 6.5
Quarterbacks
Drew Brees (NO) — The past two games have not been to the MVP standard that we have seen from Brees all year. He wasn’t able to correct Week 13’s poor performance in Week 14, but I am confident that he will get it done in Week 15 against the Panthers, who have been getting gashed against the QB position of late. They are ranked 7th worst on the season, but in the past 5 games, offenses have scored on them at will. Carolina has allowed 11 passing touchdowns during this span, the second most of any defense.
Cam Newton (CAR) — Like Brees, Newton has had two quieter fantasy games in a row. Last week against Cleveland he threw for 365 yards, which is very respectable, and rushed for 23 yards, but didn’t register any touchdowns. With the Saints allowing quarterbacks to score an average of 21 fantasy points per game, Newton has a good chance to bounce back.
Running Backs
Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara (NO) — The production from both these guys has slowed down from the crazy pace we all enjoyed last season, and it’s because the bar was set so high. Kamara had 15 fantasy points in Week 14 and we consider that a very poor week from him. The Panthers are solid against the run, but have allowed six touchdowns to the position in last five games. Regardless, you can’t afford to sit either one at this point in the fantasy season.
Christian McCaffery (CAR) — I can either ramble on about how good he is and throw every stat up to support it or not say anything other than “start him”. The Saints run defense is as good as Carolina’s but he is an RB1 this week and every week.
Wide Receivers
Michael Thomas (NO) — He’s coming off of a typically great performance, hauling in 11 of his 13 targets in Week 14 for 98 yards and 20.8 fantasy points. The only thing he needs to add is a touchdown, and he is overdue, with the last one coming in Week 11. The Panthers of late have been so poor against the receiver position that Thomas could make up for that in a big way Monday night.
Curtis Samuel and D.J. Moore (CAR) — With Devin Funchess seeing less than 40% of the offensive snaps, these dynamic youngsters have a real chance of making their marks. The Saints allow the most fantasy points per game to the position, so there should be enough production here to make both WR2-worthy.
Tight Ends
Ian Thomas (CAR) — Thomas is coming off of a very promising performance after being targeted 11 times for 9 receptions and 77 yards. The Saints have been very good against tight ends, but last week gave up two touchdowns to Cameron Brate. Still, with not much of a track record to get excited about, Thomas is nothing more than an O.K. streaming option this week.
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