New Orleans Saints (4-8) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
- Spread: Tampa Bay -3.5
- Over/ Under: 41
Breakdown
Monday Night Football takes us to Tampa Bay where they will face off with NFC South rival New Orleans Saints. The NFC South is very tight through 12 weeks, with the first-place Buccaneers only coming in with one more win (5) then the Saints who are in last in the division with 4 wins. The Bucs have been relying on Tom Brady all year and need the run game to take a step up if they want to win the division and make a run deep into the playoffs. Brady has been pretty good this year, tossing 14 touchdowns with only 4 turnovers (2 interceptions and 2 fumbles.) Leonard Fournette is coming off of a hip injury but should be ready to suit up in this matchup. Even though he has had struggles in the run game, his usage in the passing game has been effective. Failing to get over 70 yards on the ground since week 1, the Buccaneers could really benefit from having a more effective run game. Rookie running back Rachaad White could see a majority of the carries if Fournette is still banged up. White had a solid game last week in his first game as the every-down back, going for 64 yards on the ground and bringing in all 9 targets for 45 yards. One of the biggest storylines in this game is the matchup between Mike Evans and Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. When these teams met in week 2 both Evans and Lattimore were both ejected. Mike Evans is a vital piece to the Bucs offense and if he can keep his emotions in check, he will make a difference in this game. While Mike Evans is the redzone threat, Chris Godwin is the receiver who takes many of the underneath targets. Injuries disturbed the beginning of the season for Godwin but he has returned to his high level of play in the past few weeks. Scoring touchdowns in back-to-back games and has seen 10 or more targets in five of the last six games.
The Saints are coming off of a 13-0 loss against the 49ers last week. The offense needs to get back on track against a pretty stout Buccaneers defense. Kamara is the key that unlocks this offense. Kamara is most effective after the catch and when he finds himself in space. Kamara has only scored 3 touchdowns this season, and they all came in week 8 against the Raiders. Getting him going will free up Andy Dalton and the passing game. Dalton has been decent since getting the starting job in week 4, accounting for 14 passing touchdowns and 8 turnovers. The bright spot on this Saints offense has been rookie wide receiver Chris Olave. Olave has put together quite the rookie campaign, racking up 822 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. With Michael Thomas done for the season, Olave has stepped up and the Saints seem to have a good offensive weapon for the future.
Keys To Victory
Buccaneers: Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White. When healthy this could be one of the best backfield duos in the league. Fournette is more of the bruising, short-yardage running back, while White is a faster, good change-of-pace halfback. Both running backs can be effective in the receiving game as well. If the Bucs can get these guys going, that will make it much easier on Brady and this offense will be tough to stop.
Saints: Protect the ball. Winning the turnover battle is going to be detrimental to the Saints chances of winning this game. Kamara lost two fumbles last week, protecting the football should be the most important thing to him and the offense. Brady will make you pay for giving him extra possessions.
Prop Bet Pick
Mike Evans Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+150)
Mike Evans is due for a touchdown. Evans hasn’t scored since week 4 but the Saints defense is better at stopping the run than the pass. The elite receiver sees plenty of targets in every game and with his history against the Saints and Lattimore, Brady will give him chances to score.
DFS Plays
Buccaneers: Cade Otton. The Buccaneers rookie tight end is coming off his worst game of the season but is very cheap to put into your lineup. Many of the receiving options on the Bucs are expensive to put in your lineup, while Otton is the least costly of any pass catcher seeing a good amount of snaps. Otton has seen 3 or more targets in weeks 4-10. Cameron Brate is also questionable so Otton could see more opportunities if Brate is limited or inactive in this game.
Ryan Succop. The Bucs should see plenty of chances to score and when he faced the Saints in week 2, he had 10 fantasy points.
Saints: Adam Trautman. With Juwan Johnson, the starting tight end, already ruled out, Trautman should step right into the starting role. Trautman is very inexpensive and provides a massive upside in your lineup. Johnson has been a touchdown machine, with 5 touchdowns since week 7 and Trautman should see some of those targets.
