Saints Fantasy Football Week 2 Preview vs. Buccaneers

There are a ton of traditions that come with being a football fan: watching games on Thanksgiving, gathering with friends for the Super Bowl, trash talking fans of rival teams, and making fun of Rob Ryan’s hair are among some of the most popular.

Overreacting to Week One results are unfortunately part of that group as well.

Fans have waited more than half a year to see their favorite teams (and their fantasy teams) take the field. Every year the excitement for the season boils over during the first games of the season, and fans and media personalities nationwide tend to go a bit haywire.

Marcus Mariota had a fantastic debut, but he should not be dubbed “Brady and Manning-like” just because he tore up an abysmal Buccaneers defense.

Sep 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs with the ball in the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Titans defeated the Buccaneers 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Odell Beckham Jr., Calvin Johnson and Sammy Watkins could not combine for 100 yards, but that does not mean their seasons are a wash.

Sure, it would be nice to get off to a hot start. I would have loved to see Brandin Cooks start the season with a 200 yard game, but that is just how the game goes sometimes.

Week 2 comes with a new game and a clean slate, just like every week that follows . Your team is not a failure just because you lost the first game, and it is not a total success if you won.

There is a long season ahead, and plenty of time to make some adjustments along the way. But until some more games get played, you just have to trust the team you built (and hope something goes horribly wrong for your opponent).

With that, here is how the fantasy week should play out for the Saints……

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

HOT: Drew Brees

Drew Brees may not have gotten off to a great start in Week One, but he should definitely turn things around against the Bucs.

The Cardinals defense gave the Saints hell last week. Constant pressure from the defensive line paired with lockdown coverage from the secondary restricted the creativity of the Saints offense.

Tampa Bay’s defense should not be able to apply anywhere near that amount of pressure. The Bucs got blown out by the Tennessee Titans in their season opener, 42-14, with Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota throwing four touchdowns in his debut. I mean no disrespect to Mariota, but if he can do that kind of damage with the likes of Kendall Wright and Delaine Walker, Brees should have no problem tearing up the Tampa Bay secondary.

The play calling of Sean Payton has taken a lot of heat this week, some of it well deserved. However, now that Payton and Brees do not have to worry about two elite defensive backs wreaking havoc, expect the Saints to take a lot more chances down the field against Tampa Bay. Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and Brandon Coleman should have plenty of chances to break off some huge plays.

Brees threw for north of 350 yards against a tough Cardinals defense, and that was an off game for him. Against a weak secondary like Tampa Bay, Brees could very well be the highest scoring quarterback in fantasy for Week Two.

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) catches a pass against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Saints 31-19. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

HOT: Brandin Cooks

When Drew Brees succeeds, his number one receiver Brandin Cooks will likely succeed with him.

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Do not feel too down about his showing last week. Sure, four catches and forty nine yards are not desirable for a supposedly top tier receiver, but one game is not the end of the world.

Cooks should run rampant on the Bucs secondary. He can overmatch both starting cornerbacks for Tampa Bay (Johnthan Banks and Alterraun Verner) and has enough talent around him to prevent constant double teams.

Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) runs with the ball in the third quarter of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs safety Major Wright does not have the speed to defend the big plays as well as Tyrann Mathieu, just ask Kendall Wright. Brees will definitely be looking deep for Cooks on multiple occasions throughout the afternoon, and both players would benefit greatly from a few of those connections.

If Cooks can create pressure on the secondary, it opens up even more opportunities for him to produce. He can use his athleticism to make a guy miss on a screen pass and make his way up the field. As long as he can get the ball in his hands consistently, Cooks can make produce some very special plays.

Brandin Cooks is looking at a great matchup for himself against the weak Tampa Bay defense. If Brees can get him off to a hot start, he could be a top fantasy receiver for Week Two, and possibly carry that momentum through the rest of the season.

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) carries the ball past Arizona Cardinals defenders during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

HOT: Mark Ingram

If you have not gotten the hint already, the Saints should have no problem driving down the field against Tampa Bay. More drives down the field means more red zone opportunities for Mark Ingram, and that will lead to a lot of happy fantasy owners and Saints fans.

The Bucs had trouble containing anything against the Titans, so it should not come as a surprise that Tennessee’s starting running back Bishop Sankey totaled seventy four yards on only twelve carries. Ingram should have no trouble barreling his way through the Tampa defense, and should average north of five yards per carry.

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ingram had little impact on the ground in Week One, only totaling twenty four yards on nine carries. Since the passing attack was never really able to sustain pressure down the field, the Cardinals were able to constantly stack the box to stop Ingram as well.

Brees and company should be marching right up and down the field on Sunday, which takes an immense amount of pressure off of Ingram’s shoulders. He is the Saints go-to back on the goal line as well, so when they get close he should be the one driving it home, at which point fantasy owners can finally rejoice.

If the passing game is clicking on Sunday, like it should be, Ingram should be able to cash in. A multi-touchdown game is definitely on the table, and would be a great game to build on moving deeper into the season.

Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan prior to a preseason game against the New England Patriots the at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

NOT: The Saints Defense

The offensive weapons of the Saints are primed for a breakout week against Tampa Bay. The same cannot be said for the defense.