New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Matchup Preview 11/17/19: Analysis, Depth Charts, Daily Fantasy

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The Saints are coming off of a surprising loss against the Falcons. As one of the top teams in the NFC, a loss against a 1-7 is very shocking. The Saints can rebound this week, but they will have a tough test against the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers passing offense has consistently done well and has shown they can beat top teams. When these two teams faced off in week 5, the Saints won 31-24 with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback. The Saints will probably win this one, but an upset is very possible, especially considering how the Saints played last week. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, November 17th, 2019
Time: 1:00 ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
Coverage: FOX

Injury Report

New Orleans Saints: CB Marshon Lattimore (D) – Hamstring, LB Demario Davis (Q) – Hamstring, G Andrus Peat (O) – Forearm, WR Deonte Harris (Q) – Hamstring, FB Zach Line (Q) – Knee, WR Keith Kirkwood (IR) – Hamstring
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Carl Nassib (Q) – Groin, LB Anthony Nelson (Q) – Hamstring, CB Carlton Davis (Q) – Hip, G Ali Marpet (Q) – Ankle, CB M.J. Stewart (D) – Knee

New Orleans Saints Analysis

Though the Saints did not score a touchdown last week, Michael Thomas still had a great game. He had 13 receptions for 152 yards. Thomas seemingly always does well, even when the Saints offense does not do well as a whole. When the Saints played the Buccaneers earlier this season, Thomas had 11 receptions for 182 yards and 2 touchdowns. This week, he should have a great game as well. As the only consistent receiver on the Saints team, he will get a lot of targets and should comfortably have 10+ receptions and 100+ yards.

The running back situation for the Saints is more interesting though. Latavius Murray had 5 carries last week while Alvin Kamara had 4 carries. However, Kamara still was on the field for 78% of snaps, which is much greater than Murray’s 25% of snaps. Kamara was also more involved in the passing game, as he caught 8 receptions for 50 yards. So, it appears that Kamara is still the lead back for the Saints. Even though Kamara is the lead back for the Saints, he may not be the best start this week against the Buccaneers defense. They rank 1st in fantasy points allowed to running backs and they held Kamara to 62 rushing yards on 16 carries when they played earlier this season. Kamara should still be started in PPR leagues because of his presence in the passing game, but he is definitely not the best start for this week.

New Orleans Saints Depth Chart

QB: Drew Brees
RB1: Alvin Kamara
RB2: Latavius Murray
WR1: Michael Thomas
WR2: Ted Ginn
WR3: Austin Carr
TE: Jared Cook

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Analysis

The Buccaneers vertical offense may have some trouble against the Saints defense this week. The Saints rank 8th in passing yards allowed and 11th in fantasy points allowed to receivers. When these teams met in week 5, they held Mike Evans to 0 receptions, but allowed 7 receptions for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns to Chris Godwin. This may not be the best matchup for the Buccaneers receivers, but they should still do well. Mike Evans will most likely not have another 0 yard performance. Both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin should be started, as one of them will end up having a good game.

Running back Ronald Jones has been performing well for the past few weeks. He has scored a touchdown in three of the last four games and is becoming more involved in the passing game. Last game, Jones had 8 receptions for 77 yards. Also, he had 47% of offensive snaps last week. That is much more than fellow running backs Peyton barber and Dare Ogunbowale, who each were on the field for 26% of snaps. This Saints defense ranks 5th in fantasy points allowed, which makes this a tough matchup for Jones. Due to the tough matchup, Jones should be considered a low end start for this week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart

QB: Jameis Winston
RB1: Peyton Barber
RB2: Ronald Jones
WR1: Mike Evans
WR2: Chris Godwin
WR3: Breshad Perriman
TE: O.J. Howard

Daily Fantasy: Brees to Thomas Connection

Michael Thomas (DK: $9,900, FD: $9,000) is a great start this week. He had a great game against the Buccaneers earlier this season, and should have another great game. The only problem is that his salary is extremely high this week. If you have the salary for it, Thomas is a great pick. Also, Drew Brees (DK: $6,900, FD: $8,300) should have a great game. The Buccaneers have allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and Brees has thrived against struggling pass defenses. Lastly, Chirs Godwin (DK: $7,300, FD: $8,000) and Mike Evans (DK: $7,400, FD: $8,200) are not very great picks at their salary this week. One of them will probably go off and the other will probably not do well. It may not be worth the risk if one of them could have an awful game. Michael Thomas is the only receiver in this matchup who will surely have a great game.