Saints Fantasy Football Week 6 Preview vs. Falcons

Two weeks ago big time plays in big time moments were on center stage thanks to C.J. Spiller’s spectacular 80 yard catch-and-run touchdown just seconds into overtime.

Last week Brandin Cooks stole the show with another one of the most feared plays in fantasy: the garbage time touchdown.

Down 39-10 with just under four minutes to go, the Saints had no shot at coming all the way back to win the game. But the Saints still wanted to get some points on the board.

The lax Eagles defense, already satisfied with their performance on the day, mixed with a determined New Orleans offense led to New Orleans marching all the way down the field and scoring a touchdown as time expired.

Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back C.J. Spiller (28) on his way to a game-winning, 80-yard touchdown in the first overtime against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won, 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

That one drive obviously did not mean much to the game: the Saints still lost by more than twenty points. In terms of fantasy games, the impact was a lot bigger. Here are the standard point totals put up by the key Saints on that drive alone:

Drew Brees: 70 yards, 1 touchdown pass (6 points)

Brandin Cooks: 3 receptions, 36 yards, 1 touchdown (9 points)

Willie Snead: 2 receptions, 32 yards (3 points)

C.J. Spiller: 2 carries, 11 yards (1 point)

Those point totals are fairly small, but even a single point could mean the difference between a victory and a defeat. That is just the nature of the game. Unless they are trying to complete a shutout, it is likely that, with a big lead, opposing defenses are going to be a little bit more lax. The frustration and jubilation that these final garbage time drives can create is nearly unparalleled.

It is easy for fans of the losing team to flip the channel or head to their car a few minutes early if their team is getting blown out. But for fantasy players have it a little bit different. Like the late Yogi Berra used to say, “It ain’t over till it’s over”

Hopefully the Saints won’t be playing in garbage time too often, especially not at home against the rival Atlanta Falcons in week six.

HOT: Willie Snead and Brandin Cooks

Oct 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Willie Snead (83) makes a catch past Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Byron Maxwell (31) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Willie Snead is hot right now, but it seems like he might just be warming up.

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With six catches and a team high eleven targets against the Eagles, he is quickly solidifying himself as Brees’ new favorite target.

In each of the past four weeks, Snead has seen an increase in receptions and yardage. His career high 141 yards last week brought his season total to 381,  also tops on the team.

Teams have been committed to shutting down Brandin Cooks, who was considered the Saints only real threat when the season began.

Snead’s production so far is proof that he has taken advantage of the extra space given to him as a result, and opposing secondaries may have to start adjusting how they want to defend these Saints wide outs.

The Eagles shut down the Saints for most of the day, but Snead was still wreaking havoc. They tried to adjust and put more pressure on his side of the field, and that is just what Brandin Cooks was waiting for.

On that final drive Brees hit Cooks three times for thirty six yards and a touchdown, giving Cooks his first 100 yard game of the season and his first touchdown since week nine of last season.

Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) carries the ball as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) tackles in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, the Eagles defense knew the game was over already, but that drive was still impressive. Who’s to say that the Saints cannot recreate that kind of success against the Falcons?

Atlanta is sitting at 5-0 but they rank 29th in passing defense, allowing 1440 passing yards to opponents so far.

833 of those yards were produced by some of the league’s finest quarterbacks: Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Brandon Weeden and Kirk Cousins. As long as Drew Brees’ right arm does not fall off by tonight, the Saints should have no problem moving up and down the field through the air

It appeared for a brief time that Brandon Coleman would emerge as the second option for Brees, but Snead did not let that last long. His emergence as a reliable receiver has not only put himself on the map, but could help his partner in crime Brandin Cooks reach his potential. Look for both of these guys to have a big impact in the Superdome on Thursday night.

Came Out of the Oven a While Ago, But Still Warm Enough: Mark Ingram

Sep 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) scores a touchdown as Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Ingram continues to go out there week after week and consistently produce. Last week was his lowest scoring week of the season so far, but he still managed to total 74 yards. His highest point total so far this year (in standard leagues) was fifteen back in week three.

That could have easily been a twenty point performance, but Khiry Robinson was there to vulture a goal line touchdown away.

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That kind of production from the rest of the backfield has been problematic and frustrating for fantasy owners. Sean Payton has always utilized multiple backs whenever he can, and C.J. Spiller and Robinson are no exception.

Over the past three games, when Spiller has been healthy and suited up, Ingram has gotten only 62% of the team’s total carries. As long as each guy continues to produces, don’t expect this running back committee to disband any time soon.

With that said, Ingram is taking advantage of his opportunities. He is averaging a solid four yards per carry, and has managed to stay productive in the passing game, ranking third on the team in receiving yards with 220.

Ingram will definitely have to give it his all against the Falcons, who rank third in the league in rushing defense. Over their last two games, Atlanta has only allowed 94 yards on the ground. Ingram will have to bust a few big runs to reach the floor he has set for himself this season.

A bulk of his value still lies in his ability to score touchdowns. Unfortunately, Robinson and Austin Johnson have both come in for goal line opportunities over the last few weeks and succeeded. Unless Ingram can start finding the end zone again (he hasn’t since week three), his fantasy ceiling remains fairly low.

He is still a safe play given how consistent he has been week in and week out, but it is unfair to expect a game changing performance from the Saints lead back…..

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