Saints Fantasy Football Preview: Week 4 vs. Cowboys

Though the Saints could not pick up the win yet again in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, they did their best to at the very least keep their fantasy owners happy.

For the most part, they actually pulled it off.

Mark Ingram, Brandin Cooks, and Ben Watson all put up season high point totals, Khiry Robinson scored a touchdown, and Luke McCown threw for more than 300 yards. That is some solid production from a team considering how the final score of the game actually played out.

Carolina’s defense is no joke, so the fact that the offense was able to make some noise could be a sign of things to come.

If that trend continues in week four against the Cowboys, Saints fans and fantasy owners could finally share something that has eluded most of them this season: a victory.

Here is the fantasy outlook for the primary Saints weapons in their matchup against the Cowboys.

HOT: Mark Ingram

Nov 10, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick (32) during the first half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The first three weeks of this season have shown us that when the Saints offense is struggling, Mark Ingram can still get the job done.

His point totals in the first three games (11,9,15 in standard leagues) are not electrifying, but they are steady. A huge part of Ingram’s fantasy value coming into the season was his high floor of production, and he has shown why so far.

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Ingram could have eclipsed 20 points this past week had Khiry Robinson not swooped in to snag a goal line touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Sean Payton has always been notorious for getting multiple backs touches throughout the course of a game, so Robinson and a healthy C.J. Spiller could continue to vulture production away from Ingram.

The Cowboys pose an interesting matchup for Ingram. They rank tenth in the league in rushing defense and allow a stingy 3.6 yards per carry through three weeks, but the game to game results have varied.

They allowed 99 rushing yards and a touchdown to the Giants in week one, and 141 yards and three scores to Devonta Freeman of the Falcons in week three. However, they did manage to hold the Eagles backs to a whopping -2 yards on 15 carries in week two.

Regardless of which Cowboys defense decides to show up on Sunday, Mark Ingram will be a safe start at running back.

LUKEWARM: Brandin Cooks

Sep 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) stiff arms Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick (32) in the game at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat New Orleans 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Is there any better way to describe the Saints top receiving option with Drew Brees out of the lineup?

Wordplay aside, Brandin Cooks has not made life easy for fantasy owners so far.

He has had at least 7 targets in each of the first three games, and his receptions and yardage totals have risen each week (4 for 49 in week one, 5 for 62 in week two, 7 for 79 in week three).

It is hard to imagine Cooks reaching his potential without Drew Brees on the field. Luke McCown performed admirably in his place last week, and actually got Cooks the ball more than Brees had in the two weeks prior, resulting in that season high 79 yards. However, it is tough to see Cooks blossoming into that elite fantasy receiver many think he can be without Brees on the field.

He does have a favorable matchup against the Cowboys. Though they limited Odell Beckham Jr. (5 catches, 44 yards) in week one, Jordan Matthews (6 catches, 80 yards, 1 touchdown) and Julio Jones (12 catches, 164 yards, 2 touchdowns) had no trouble finding open space in weeks two and three.

If McCown can keep getting the ball to Cooks, there is a chance the young receiver could finally have a breakout performance (or at least score his first touchdown of the season). Until Brees returns though, it will be safe to keep your expectations for Cooks in check.

HOT: Drew Brees

NOV 10, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates against the Dallas Cowboys during a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derek E. Hingle -USA TODAY Sports

If Sunday rolls around and Brees’ status is still up in the air, it would be best to look elsewhere. The Saints will be playing Sunday Night Football, so by the time a “game time decision” is made, the potential replacements for Brees will be locked on the bench.

With that said, if Brees is able to be on the field, he is a must play.

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While nursing his injury, I am sure Brees heard plenty of talk about “the end of an era in New Orleans” or “the possible end of a Hall of Fame career”. What better response is there to statements like these than giving the national audience a vintage Drew Brees performance?

Dallas allowed big performances to number one receivers Jordan Matthews and Julio Jones, but they were not the only players to make an impact catching passes.

Shane Vereen, DeMarco Murray and Devonta Freeman all had at least 4 catches for 45 yards out of the backfield when they played Dallas. If C.J. Spiller can get on the field and Ingram can keep doing what he has been doing in the passing game, the backs for New Orleans could wreak some havoc of their own. Brees has had trouble getting the ball deep down the field so far this season, but using his backs effectively this week will be a key to success.

Success in the short game will only make things easier for Brandin Cooks down the field. It will only take a single aggressive misstep from a Dallas safety to open up the field and allow Cooks to find space. And you better believe that Brees will not let those kind of opportunities go by the wayside.

Brees did not look like himself in the first two weeks of the season.

Now that he has had a week to recover and get motivated by the talk of the media, it would be wise to once again put your faith in the Saints quarterback……

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