CSC’s fantasy studs and duds from Week 1

The New Orleans Saints were able to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but were you able to beat your Week 1 opponent in your fantasy football league? If you did, or if you didn’t, it might have been because of some of the Studs and Duds from the Saints 34-23 victory over the Buccaneers.

STUD: Alvin Kamara

Kamara proved he was worth the $75 million extension the Saints gave him earlier this week. He scored twice and had 51 receiving yards on 5 catches, which made up for him gaining only 16 yards on the ground. He finished with 20.5 PPR points which was the 7th most on the day for an RB. The lack of rushing yards is worrisome but the Bucs run defense is stout so I expect Kamara to get back on track on the ground next week in Vegas.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

dud: Michael Thomas

Thomas had a very uncharacteristic start to the 2020 season. He compiled only 3 catches for 17 yards, his lowest total yards since 2017. The Buccaneers obviously formed their defensive gameplan around stopping Thomas as he almost always two defenders near him, which consequently opened up the field for Kamara and Jared Cook. I doubt this will continue however, Thomas is too good and if every team sells out to stop him, the Saints will be the top offense in the league this year.

STUD: Tom Brady

Brady was the only Bucs starter to outperform his projected score against the Saints defense. He was by no means spectacular but battled back from a pick-6 early in the 2nd half to throw 2 TDs and get the Bucs within 7 points. Brady finished with 19 points despite throwing two INTs and there is no reason he should lose his starting spot on your roster yet.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

dud: Mike Evans

It is hard to fault Mike Evans for his performance this week, he was hobbled by an injury all week and also had to deal with playing against his father, Marshon Lattimore. A late garbage time TD salvaged his game and prevented a second shut out when facing Lattimore (although Lattimore wasn’t covering him on the TD so I guess it still counts). Fortunately for Evans’s fantasy owners, he does not have to face Lattimore every week and will look to bounce back next week against Carolina.

STUD: Saints D/ST

The Saints defense compiled 17 points against what was considered to be one of the better offenses in the NFL. Aided by two interceptions, one being taken back for a TD, and a fumble recovery by the special teams, the Saints tied Washington as the top scoring defense Sunday afternoon.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

dud: Running Backs not named Kamara

Latavius Murray, Ronald Jones II, and Leonard Fournette combined for less total points than Kamara Sunday afternoon. Murray got plenty of touches as he actually had more rushing attempts than Kamara, but a great Bucs run defense and a lack of TDs held him to only 4 fantasy points. Ronald Jones II ran hard but a lack of involvement in the passing game as well as being unable to find the end zone held him to just 8 points. Fournette was able to gain only 5 yards on 5 carries this week, and is clearly not ready to take over the starting job in Tampa yet.

How did your fantasy team do in Week 1? Let us know in the comments. Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel. As always, you can follow me on Twitter @HaydenReel.