Thursday Night Football: Falcons at Saints

Week 6 has officially arrived fantasy football fans! Tonight, we will see the Atlanta Falcons travel to the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, to do battle with the Saints. The Falcons and Saints have always been a tough NFC South battle with a ton of fantasy implications involved. So, let’s gear up for a Thursday Night Football matchup between stud quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Drew Brees.

So, let’s get down to business, here’s my Week 6 Thursday Night Football preview:

INJURY REPORT

• Julio Jones is the biggest named player who is injured in Atlanta. He’s been dealing with a toe/hamstring injury that has been hindering his performance over the last few weeks. Jones is probable to play in this game and will still be in my fantasy lineups.
• The Falcons number two receiver Leonard Hankerson has also found himself on the injured list. Last week versus the Redskins, he suffered a rib injury and is questionable for Thursday night’s game.
• Saints veteran wide receiver Marques Colston is dealing with a separated shoulder. He may also be facing some structural damage to the shoulder, so monitor his status closer to game time.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Matt Ryan, QB

The Falcons organization has seemed to finally surround Ryan with a good enough offensive line to give him plenty of time to distribute the ball. This year, he has thrown for 1,456 yards, six touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Ryan owns a 90.7 QBR and has completed 64.9 percent of his passing attempts. This season, New Orleans ranks 30th versus opposing quarterbacks, allowing an average of 25.2 fantasy points per game. It should be fairly easy for Ryan to move the ball versus this porous Saints’ secondary, so he should be a good play in Week 6.

Fantasy Prediction: 250 yards and 2 touchdowns

Devonta Freeman, RB

Freeman is one of the biggest surprises of this young fantasy season! In 2015, he has rushed 93 times for 405 yards and 8 touchdowns. Freeman has also caught 24 balls for 240 yards also this season. This year, the Saints rank 24th defending against opposing running backs, allowing an average of 22.2 fantasy points per game. This should be another big fantasy game for Freeman, so take advantage and get him in your lineup.

Fantasy Prediction: 110 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 3 receptions for 30 yards

Julio Jones, WR

The Falcons’ coaching staff is saying that Jones will be on a “pitch count” during this game. He still is a must-start player who has big play potential for fantasy in Week 6. So far this season, Jones has caught 43 passes for 545 yards and 4 scores. He has seen 62 total targets and averages 109.0 yards per game. In 2015, the Saints rank 13th versus opposing wide receivers, allowing an average of 20.1 fantasy points per game. Play Jones with confidence since the New Orleans secondary is nothing special.

Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions, 100 yards and a touchdown

Jacob Tamme, TE

Overall, Tamme has been pretty solid for the Falcons in his 8th NFL season. This year, he has caught 16 balls for 198 yards and no touchdowns. Last week was his breakout week, though, where he caught eight passes for 94 yards. In 2015, the Saints rank 30th at defending against opposing tight ends, allowing an average of 13.5 fantasy points per contest. Tamme could very well be a sneaky play in Week 6, especially in your DFS lineups.

Fantasy Prediction: 5 receptions, 65 yards and a touchdown

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Drew Brees, QB

Brees is one of the single greatest players to walk onto a football field! This year has been a bit of a down one for him, though. In 2015, Brees has thrown for 1,304 yards, six touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He possesses a low 50.79 QBR and has completed 66.5 percent of his passes. This season, the Falcons rank 10th at defending against opposing quarterbacks, allowing an average of 19.9 fantasy points per contest. Brees will have a solid night versus the Atlanta defense, so get him in your lineup.

Fantasy Prediction: 290 yards and 2 touchdowns

Mark Ingram, RB

Week 6 may very well be Ingram’s breakout week. This season, he has rushed 68 times for 261 yards and two scores. Ingram does a lot of damage in the passing game, though, catching 24 passes for 220 yards. The Falcons rank a terrible 30th versus opposing running backs this year, allowing an average of 26.5 fantasy points per game. I see this being Ingram’s most productive fantasy game of the season, so don’t leave him on your bench!

Fantasy Prediction: 80 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 4 receptions for 40 yards

Brandin Cooks, WR

Cooks has been one of the more disappointing fantasy receivers for the 2015 season. This year, he has caught 25 balls for 322 yards and one touchdown, averaging right at 64.4 yards per game. Cooks will be facing a Falcons defense who ranks 6th at defending against opposing wideouts this season. This may not be the best spot to insert him into your lineup, but there are worse options out there.

Fantasy Prediction: 5 receptions for 70 yards

Willie Snead, WR

Snead has quickly dethroned Marques Colston as the number two receiver in New Orleans. He’s had an impressive rookie season thus far, catching 22 receptions for 381 yards and a score. Snead averages 76.2 yards per game and has seen 33 targets this year. In 2015, Atlanta gives up an average of just 19.1 total fantasy points to opposing wide receivers per game. Much of the focus could be on Cooks in this contest, so Snead may see some open looks.

Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown

Ben Watson, TE

There isn’t really a viable option at the tight end position for the Saints this year. So far in 2015, Watson has caught 15 balls for 139 yards and one touchdown. He’s seen just 21 targets and averages 27.8 yards per game. This season, the Falcons rank 20th versus opposing tight ends, allowing just 7.8 fantasy points per game. If you’re into gambling, Watson always has a shot at a red-zone score!

Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown

WEATHER

Weather won’t be a factor since the Saints play their home games inside a dome. Overall the city of New Orleans will have perfect weather, with temps in the low 80’s and clear skies.

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