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It’s Week 3 and more importantly rivalry week for The Who Dat Nation! The Saints are headed up to Atlanta to take on the pesky Falcons or as I like to call them “ The Dirty Birds”. After last week’s performance, we know that the New Orleans defense still hasn't made it back to their 2017 work ethic, and head coach Sean Payton addressed that there’s still a lot of work to be done. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that these two NFC south teams light up when they play each other and fantasy owners can reap the benefits from it this week.
As a reminder, all of my work will be based on PPR leagues, and obvious starters like Alvin Kamara will not be written about. Each week, I will evaluate both teams and list my picks from the matchups.
Start’ Em
Tre’Quan Smith (NO)
Tre’Quan Smith saw his first fantasy points last week against Cleveland. Although he didn’t put up much of a stat line I feel that this is the week we see the 91st overall pick of the 2018 draft get in the end zone. On Wednesday Coach Sean Payton said “We’ve got to find a way to get him (Smith) more touches. He’s handling our installation, He knows what were doing game plan wise and I think he’s ready to prove that”.
This guy shows promise to be a future stud in the Saints receiving core after a standout performance during training camp and in the preseason. Now don’t get it twisted, this isn’t a player you’ll want if you play in an 8-10 man league, but If you play in a 14-16 man league don’t pass up throwing this WR3 into your lineup.
Tevin Coleman - Falcons RB
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Last week, the Falcons announced that Devonta Freeman would be out for 2-3 weeks nursing a knee injury. This passed the torch to Tevin Coleman to lead the backfield and honestly he’s doing a pretty great job so far filling Freeman's shoes. Last week against Carolina, Coleman put up 107 rushing yards and 4 receptions for 18 Yards.
Going beyond this game, Coleman is someone you definitely want in your season long lineups and if his production continues I can definitely see his workload increasing even when Freeman returns. With the Saints having their defensive woes he is a must start in all formats for Sunday’s match up.
Sit’ Em
New Orleans & Atlanta’s Defense
“Really Chase, another defensive sit em?” Absolutely! The Saints and Falcons seem to bring out the best in each other offensively, which could end in a huge offensive clinic between Drew Brees and Matt Ryan. Expect a lot of scoring in Atlanta this Sunday. Both offenses have great weapons so play it safe because we all know scoring will make that initial 10 points fade away. If you own either of these defenses go ahead and grab you a streamer for this week from a different game.
Mike Gillislee (NO)
Mike Gillislee came to New Orleans expected to fill the absence of Mark Ingram during his 4 game suspension and he’s been nothing but disappointing since. It seems that not just anyone can waltz in and recreate the Boom and Zoom effect that New Orleans possessed in 2017. So far Alvin Kamara has surprised many (not me) being able to fill more of a single back role in this years offense and that won’t change this week in Atlanta. I personally know a few people that stashed Gillislee in hopes that he would rack up some points while Ingram served his time riding the pine but get real, he’s only owned by 1.9% of ESPN fantasy players. Unless your in a 16 man league do yourself a favor and hit the drop button.
For any NFL Start/Sit questions you have, feel free to ask me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase