Fantasy Football Week 9: Complete Thursday Night Preview
In recent weeks, the NFL and Thursday nights have been a pretty good match. After just over a month of blowouts, the games have settled in and have had their share of excitement.
Will the trend continue this week as the Carolina Panthers host the New Orleans Saints? The way both teams—as well as the entire NFC South—are playing defense these days, scoring doesn't figure to be an issue.
That means plenty of good news for fantasy football team owners unless you are among those hoping that the Saints and Panthers might get you some points via their defensive units.
In any case, there doesn't figure to be any shortage of excitement in this always interesting matchup.
Starting Quarterbacks
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New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
One of the most prolific passers in NFL history has been only so-so to date in 2014. But as we all know, Brees is capable of putting up big numbers at any given time.
This season, the 14-year pro is averaging 318.1 yards per game through the air and has thrown for 14 scores. But Brees has also thrown seven interceptions in as many games, which is somewhat surprising considering he was picked off just 12 times during all of 2013.
It's interesting to note that since signing with the Saints in 2006, Brees owns a 7-8 record as a starter vs. the Panthers. However, he's thrown for 300 or more yards in eight of those 15 contests and has totaled 29 touchdown passes compared to only 11 interceptions.
Fantasy Prediction: 33-of-42, 403 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs. 1 carry, 2 yards, 0 TD.
Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton
With the exception of a pair of 30-plus-point outbursts against the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals, the Panthers offense hasn't done much to date. This unit has produced only 16 touchdowns in eight games.
While Newton remains the key to the attack, he hasn't put up big numbers in his seven appearances this season. The talented signal-caller has thrown for just eight scores while committing seven turnovers (four interceptions, three lost fumbles). Newton ranks second on the team in rushing but has totaled just 214 yards on the ground and scored only one touchdown.
You get the sense he's about to take a more active role this week against one of the league's struggling defenses.
Fantasy Prediction: 25-of-34, 272 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT. 12 carries, 96 yards, 2 TDs.
Running Backs
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New Orleans Saints Starter: Mark Ingram
After a promising preseason, big things were expected this season from the former Heisman Trophy winner. Ingram totaled 24 carries for 143 yards and three touchdowns over the first two weeks despite the club's 0-2 start.
After missing three games, he returned in the Week 7 loss at Detroit, totaling just 16 yards rushing on 10 carries. But he took advantage of a porous Green Bay defense last Sunday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, running for 172 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries in New Orleans' convincing 44-23 win.
Fantasy Prediction: 11 carries, 71 yards, 0 TDs. 3 receptions, 31 yards, 0 TDs.
New Orleans Saints Backup: Travaris Cadet
Both Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson are out for this contest, so it's up to Cadet to spell Ingram on occasion. While he's totaled just four carries for 17 yards this season, he's been an asset when it comes to the passing game, totaling 20 receptions for 174 yards and a score.
While it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ingram get all of the carries in this contest, we are playing a hunch that Cadet may be a bigger factor than most expect.
Fantasy Prediction: 8 carries, 52 yards, 0 TDs. 4 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD.
Carolina Panthers Starter: Jonathan Stewart
Hampered by injuries the majority of last season, Stewart leads the team with 217 yards rushing (one touchdown) despite missing three contests earlier this year. He's also caught 11 passes for 85 yards in five outings this season.
Stewart has been the Panthers' main ball-carrier the past two weeks, totaling 29 carries for 129 yards in the losses to the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
Fantasy Prediction: 12 carries, 65 yards, 0 TDs. 3 receptions, 25 yards, 0 TDs.
Carolina Panthers Backup: DeAngelo Williams
The team's leading rusher from 2013 is listed as probable for Thursday night's game after sitting out the last four games. Williams ranks third on the team with 106 yards rushing but has played in only two games this season.
With the Carolina running game ranking just 27th in the league this season, getting Williams some carries in this divisional matchup with the Saints would be vital in the long run.
Fantasy Prediction: 9 carries, 32 yards, 0 TDs. 1 reception, 11 yards, 0 TDs.
Wide Receivers
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New Orleans Saints: Marques Colston
The franchise's all-time leader in receptions keeps adding to that total although he hasn't been a big touchdown threat this season. Colston ranks fourth on the team with 25 catches and is averaging 16.3 yards per reception. But the nine-year veteran has scored only one touchdown so far this season.
Fantasy Prediction: 7 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD.
New Orleans Saints: Kenny Stills
We are anticipating a good effort from Stills, who hasn't put up eye-popping numbers so far this season but has been a big-play component in recent weeks. Over the last two games, he's been targeted nine times and caught all nine passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
In his previous four games, Stills totaled only 10 catches for 141 yards.
Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD.
New Orleans Saints: Brandin Cooks
It may not be a total shock that the first-round draft choice from Oregon State leads the team with 40 receptions and has caught a pair of touchdown passes. But the rookie wideout is averaging only 9.3 yards per catch.
On Sunday night against the Packers, Cooks totaled six catches for 94 yards and a score and also had a four-yard touchdown run in the 44-23 victory. His role may be getting ready to increase during the second half of the season.
Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD.
New Orleans Saints: Robert Meachem
The one-time first-round draft choice who is in the midst of his second stint with the Saints is good for the occasional big play. But he's hardly a threat when it comes to fantasy football. Meachem has totaled just four catches for 60 yards this season.
Fantasy Prediction: 1 reception, 28 yards, 0 TDs.
Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Benjamin
A very strong candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, the former Florida State product makes for an imposing target, and opposing defenders have found that out in a hurry. The Panthers' first-round pick this year ranks second on the team with 38 catches, leads Carolina with 571 receiving yards and shares the club lead with five touchdown receptions.
Benjamin has been targeted a team-high 68 times (six or more targets in each of his eight games in 2014). His five touchdown receptions have also come in five different games.
Fantasy Prediction: 5 receptions, 91 yards, 1 TD.
Carolina Panthers: Jerricho Cotchery
It's still hard to believe that the resourceful Cotchery hasn't scored a touchdown this season to date. Cotchery ranks third on the team with 26 catches for 316 yards but has been held out of the end zone in the seven games he's played. Cotchery has totaled at least three catches in each of his seven appearances in 2014.
Fantasy Prediction: 3 receptions, 35 yards, 0 TDs.
Carolina Panthers: Jason Avant
The one-time Philadelphia Eagles performer ranks fourth on the club with 19 catches for 185 yards and one touchdown. He's been relatively quiet the last two weeks, catching two passes in as many games, but so has the entire Carolina offense.
Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 43 yards, 0 TDs.
Carolina Panthers: Brenton Bersin
Bersin has totaled nine catches for 104 yards and one touchdown this season. While he wasn't targeted last week vs. the Seahawks, he's caught at least one pass in the other six games he's played this season.
Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 14 yards, 0 TDs.
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Tight Ends
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New Orleans Saints Starter: Jimmy Graham
One of the most dangerous players in the league at his position, Graham led the entire NFL with 16 touchdown receptions last season. He's been hampered by a shoulder injury in recent weeks, but last Sunday night, he still managed to find the end zone in the win over the Packers.
This season, Graham ranks second on the team with 39 catches and leads the Saints in receiving yards (435) and touchdown receptions (four).
Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 33 yards, 0 TDs.
New Orleans Saints Backup: Benjamin Watson
The 13-year veteran caught 19 passes for 226 yards and two scores last season for the Saints. He's been less of a factor to date in 2014, with five of his 10 receptions coming in the team's comeback win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Still, with Graham hurting a bit, Watson and Josh Hill can expect to see a little more action and perhaps a few more passes their way.
Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 20 yards, 0 TDs.
Carolina Panthers Starter: Greg Olsen
A year ago, he led the Panthers in catches (73), receiving yards (816) and touchdown grabs (six). Olsen is at it again in 2014 with a team-high 42 receptions while his 509 yards are second behind rookie Kelvin Benjamin. He's tied with the young wideout for the club lead with five touchdown receptions.
While he was limited to only one catch in last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Olsen has totaled six or more receptions in five of his eight outings this season.
Fantasy Prediction: 7 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD.
Carolina Panthers Backup: Ed Dickson
The one-time Baltimore Ravens performer has been targeted only six times all season, totaling three catches for 29 yards. He's not expected to make much of an impact here.
Fantasy Prediction: 0 receptions.
Defense/Special Teams
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New Orleans Saints Defense/Special Teams
Last season, the Saints ranked fourth in the league in terms of fewest yards and fewest points allowed. While they struggled to forced turnovers (19 takeaways), defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's unit came up with 49 sacks.
That's hardly been the case in 2014. The pass rush has totaled just 13 sacks in seven games, and the Saints remain less than opportunistic, totaling only seven takeaways in as many games. But both of those numbers could change against a struggling Carolina attack, which has some issues on the offensive line.
Fantasy Prediction: 28 points allowed, 5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FFs.
Carolina Panthers Defense/Special Teams
What has happened to one of the best units in the league a year ago and a group that got off to a good start this season as well?
The Panthers have allowed 31.2 points per game and a whopping 406.8 yards per outing in their last six contests. During the team's 2-0 start, Carolina surrendered a total of 21 points and 587 total yards.
The team that produced an NFL-high 60 sacks last season has totaled just 16 sacks in eight games this season, with defensive end Greg Hardy's absence being a big factor in the falloff. Head coach Ron Rivera's team has come up with a respectable 14 takeaways, but six of those came in the first two weeks.
Still, don't be surprised if they come up with a few gifts from Drew Brees on Thursday evening.
Fantasy Prediction: 34 points allowed, 2 sacks, 2 INT, 0 FFs.
Best Sleeper Adds
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A couple of these performers may not be on your team and could be worth adding on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Sometimes, a little last-minute shopping can be beneficial.
1. Travaris Cadet, Running Back, New Orleans Saints (Owned in 0.4 percent of ESPN leagues)
Mark Ingram will get the bulk of the work Thursday night, but Cadet is more of a pass-catching threat, snaring 20 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown this season. With Jimmy Graham less than 100 percent, he's proved to be a good outlet option for Drew Brees.
2. Josh Hill, Tight End, New Orleans Saints (Owned in 0.2 percent of ESPN leagues)
Second-stringer Ben Watson has caught just 10 passes this season and has yet to find the end zone in 2014. Hill is right behind the veteran tight end with only nine receptions, but he's second on the club with three touchdown grabs. He may be worth grabbing should Graham wind up being a late scratch.
3. Jason Avant, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers (Owned in 0.6 percent of ESPN leagues)
The Panthers have just four healthy wide receivers with Corey Brown, but that means Brenton Bersin likely inherits both punt and kickoff return duties. That could mean a lot more passes for Avant, who has been somewhat quiet the last few weeks, targeted six times with two catches for six yards.
Injury Report
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Here is a look at the latest injury report regarding the Saints and Panthers, focusing on key performers (courtesy of NFL.com).
New Orleans Saints | ||
Player | Status | |
Pierre Thomas | RB | Out |
David Hawthorne | LB | Out |
Khiry Robinson | RB | Questionable |
Jimmy Graham | TE | Questionable |
Jonathan Goodwin | C | Questionable |
Graham and Goodwin were limited in terms of practice time while Robinson sat out all week. And with Thomas already out, running back Mark Ingram could be a very busy man in this contest.
Carolina Panthers | ||
Player | Status | |
Corey Brown | WR | Out |
Byron Bell | T | Out |
Amini Silatolu | G | Out |
Trai Turner | G | Out |
Kawann Short | DT | Questionable |
Thomas DeCoud | S | Questionable |
DeAngelo Williams | RB | Probable |
Nate Chandler | T | Probable |
The Panthers offensive front is a mess these days, but Chandler was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and should start at right tackle. Williams looks ready to go as well while DeCoud and Short were limited in practice Wednesday after not seeing any time on Monday and Tuesday.
Sit or Start
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We know who the stars are when it comes to this contest. But is there a pivotal player or two on your roster who you can't decide whether to start or not? Here's a little help.
RB Travaris Cadet (Saints): He's been targeted a combined 25 times in the Saints' last four games and responded with 19 catches, including one for a score. He also becomes the main backup behind Mark Ingram with both Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson out.
Verdict: Start
WR Kenny Stills (Saints): He's been a big-play component for the New Orleans offense this season, totaling three receptions of 45-plus yards in the team's last four games. But he hasn't been a factor when it comes to reaching the end zone.
Verdict: Sit
RB DeAngelo Williams (Panthers): Williams looks like he's ready to go after missing the last four games, but how much action will he actually see? The team's leading rusher of a year ago has played in just two games this season. Chris Ogbonnaya was added earlier this month and has 14 carries for 50 yards and a score the last four games, but neither he nor Williams is worth the call here.
Verdict: Sit
WR Jerricho Cotchery (Panthers): It's strange not to see Cotchery with at least one touchdown reception under his belt considering he totaled 10 scores last season with the Steelers. The Panthers have scored a combined 26 points (two touchdowns) the last two weeks and will need all they can get from everyone available.
Verdict: Start
Some statistical support provided by Pro-Football-Reference, NFL.com and ESPN.com. Depth chart info provided by Ourlads.
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