Saints vs. Packers
Weekly, I will provide you with fantasy advice on who to play and who to tell FOH on your fantasy football rosters. Tonight’s NFL opening matchup features the last two Superbowl winners and two of the highest scoring offenses over the last three seasons in the NFL.
Packers Play’em
Aaron Rodgers – last season numbers, 3922 yards and 28 TDs. What’s not to like about Mr. Rodgers? Although the Saints pass D only allowed an average of 194 yards per game in the air last season, good for 4th best in the league, they have some new faces in the secondary and Mr. Rodgers is just too good to sit.
Greg Jennings – 76 catches, 1295 yards, and 12 TDs. Mr. Rodgers’ favorite target and with the way Green Bay moves him around in formations, it will be hard for the Saints to key on him. Look for a big night from Jennings.
Jordy Nelson – is now solidly entrenched in the number 3 role in this explosive Green Bay offense, and after his excellent play in last year’s Superbowl run, look for Mr. Rodgers to look his way more often this season.
Packers FOH
Ryan Grant vs. James Starks – are expected to have a 50/50 carry split in tonight’s game, with the hot hand getting a bulk of carries in the second half. Too risky for my blood, but if you have to play one, I say Grant, who has been given a majority of goal-line carries in Pre-season.
Donald Driver and James Jones – I foresee a majority of the targets going to the direction of Jennings, Finley and Nelson, with Driver and Jones getting in where they fit in. If you have no option but to play one, I say Driver, who has been a consistent favorite of Rodgers on 3rd down over the years.
Green Bay Defense – normally I would say starting the Packers D is a no brainer, but with the limited off-season, trying to work injured players from last season back into the mix, and facing a high-powered Saints attack, I think it’s best to leave the Packers D on bench for this week and play them against better match-ups in the future.
Saints Play’em
Drew Brees – 4620 yards and 33TDs, however 22 interceptions, as Brees found himself forcing passes because of the lack of a consistent running game. But with the return of Pierre Thomas and the additions of Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles, look for the Saints to return to a balanced attack, allowing Brees to work play action and take shots down field to his big play wideouts.
Devery Henderson and Robert Meacham – with Lance Moore out of tonight’s game with a groin injury and Colston still not 100% following multiple off-season knee surgeries, look for both Henderson and Meacham to see more targets. Plus I believe Green Bay will be up on the scoreboard, so the Saints will be chucking the ball up all night.
Jimmy Graham – 31 catches, 356 yards, and 5tds last season. This is my major sleeper for this game. The Green Bay Defense gave up the 4th most points last season in fantasy football to opposing tight ends and with the same group of linebackers and safeties returning for the Packers, look for Graham to have a big night (5 to 6 catches, around 70 yards and a TD). Not bad production for your tight end.
Saints FOH
Mark Ingram – I know many people have Mark Ingram as a sleeper for this season. So do I but not for this first game. He’s currently listed on depth chart as second behind Pierre Thomas, however Sproles will handle 3rd down duty, so it’s more like Ingram is the 3rd back. Also, Sean Payton has been known to play the hot hand with his running backs, so any Saints back is a risky play. Ingram’s time will come, just not tonight. Be patient with him.
Marques Colston and Lance Moore – Marques is coming off multiple off-season surgeries to his knees. While he has looked good in the preseason in limited time, he still isn’t 100 %, and even if healthy, going against that tough Packers Pass D and Charles Woodson is a tough assignment for any wideout. Lance is still battling that groin injury and is out for the game.
Saints Defense – home opener for Green Bay and the fact that the Saints have added so many new faces on D, I won’t risk a play here. Plus I believe this game is going to be played in the 40’s, with Green Bay winning 49 to 42 LOL.