Below are my thoughts on the two prime-time games this week to cover for the MNF-TNF slate and the two Showdown slates.
MNF: REDSKINS at SAINTS SHOWDOWN
QB: Drew Brees, Alex Smith and Taysom Hill
Drew Brees is going to take over as the all time passing yards leader in the history of the NFL this evening with 201 yards passing and he should get that tonight at home in a prime time game. They will stop the game when he breaks the record to acknowledge Brees and given the history of the Saints I see this somehow finding a way to happen on a TD pass (my prediction is a 29 yard TD pass to the left endzone on your TV — the Poydras street side — to Josh Hill).
Alex Smith is not a terrible single game play today as the Redskins will have to move the ball through the air tonight against the Saints, but I would not play him on the MNF-TNF slate.
Taysom Hill is the shiny car that gets to be put back in the garage as Mark Ingram II returns and Drew Brees has the spotlight on him tonight. But do not be afraid to play Hill in the single game showdown slates. It’s not my fault that everyone else is too blind to see the obvious that is happening here where we have a free square on a single game slate with someone who gets red zone looks as a runner, a passer and even last game a receiver. Oh yeah, he returns kicks too. He is worth playing in the comma contests tonight.
RB: Ingram, Kamara, Thompson
Ingram gets a great match-up against the Redskins defense coming off his suspension. He should be all systems go and will get back into the mix with the Boom and Zoom backfield combination. Chris Thompson is a nice MNF-TNF play as well from the Redskins. He suffered a season ending injury in this same match-up last year but prior to that he was starting to break out with a solid game against the Saints. Kamara benefits greatly by having Ingram back, he can remain fresh and be used more as a flex WR with the threat of the running game still in play. I would roster all three of these guys on SNF-MNF
WR: Thomas, Smith, Crowder, M. Harris
I would prefer to spend for Kamara over Thomas but if you want to go full Saints stack on MNF-TNF he is always reliable for close to 100 yards. Tre’Quan Smith will see more snaps tonight with Tedd Ginn ruled out and also should be in consideration for a 50 yard bomb now that Ingram is back and adds another layer of threat to the run game for New Orleans. Maurice Harris should fill in for the injured Josh Doctson today and would be a nice value play and is in consideration on the showdown contest
TE: Josh Hill, Redskins TE from Univ of Maryland
Value TE game! Josh Hill week for me and that TE guy who played with Alex Smith in San Francisco has had some huge games against the Saints in his past. I refuse to mention his name. Dont mention his name to me. Dont.
K/DEF: Do we believe in kicker revenge narratives? We shouldnt. But Hopkins was cut by the Saints… As for defenses tonight, I would not go either as you are simply hoping for a turnover and neither QB should take a ton of sacks.
TNF: EAGLES at GIANTS
Projecting ahead I expect the Eagles to bounce back and shred the Giants this week. Zach Ertz should have a huge game for the Eagles here and Beckham obviously is the WR to target against the weak Eagles secondary.
QB: Wentz
Wentz is a nice pivot on the MNF-TNF slate and should come in lower owned than Brees and Smith.
RB: None, get all RB from the MNF game
There’s nothing here I like. If you have a FLEX spot open for TNF and want to pivot to it then you could consider one of the Eagles backs but we need clarity on who will play. I don’t trust anyone outside of Smallwood.
WR: Beckham, Agholor
Beckham has the best WR matchup on this MNF-TNF short slate.
TE: Ertz
DEF: Eagles
